Full Breakdown
President Abelardo de la Espriella’s Military Offensive Against FARC Dissidents
9/1/2026, 10:20:54 PM
Core Operations and Casualties
In late August 2026 the Colombian armed forces carried out two operations against dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
- Operation Amon (August 27, 2026) – An air strike on a rebel camp in Guaviare killed ten dissidents, including three minors (two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old). The National Institute of Legal Medicine identified nine bodies; a tenth remains under examination. The Defense Ministry said the raid seized 19 rifles, seven machine guns, hand-guns, antipersonnel mines, grenades for drones and more than 29,000 rounds of ammunition.
- Valle del Cauca operation (early September) – President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the death of a commander known as “Felipe” or “Arcadio,” linked to the Jaime Martínez faction of the “Iván Mordisco” network. His X post showed a body bag and seized weapons, including an M4 rifle, three magazines, 85 rounds and a telescopic sight. The target had previously directed drone-delivered explosives against police stations in Dagua and El Queramal and injured seven soldiers in an attack on an army unit in El Danubio.
Background & Context
De la Espriella assumed the presidency in June 2026 on a “hard-line” platform against narco-terrorist groups, reversing the conciliatory stance of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who negotiated the 2016 peace agreement with FARC. His administration has revived U.S. extraditions and authorized offensives aimed at dissident networks that rejected the 2016 deal.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total killed in Operation Amon | 10 (including 3 minors) | National Institute of Legal Medicine |
| Weapons seized in Operation Amon | 19 rifles, 7 machine guns, hand-guns, mines, grenades, 29,000+ rounds | Government report |
| Suspected rebels killed since de la Espriella took office | 24 | Defense Ministry |
| Target killed in Valle del Cauca operation | 1 (Felipe/Arcadio) | President’s X post |
Official Statements & Responses
De la Espriella framed the operations as necessary to protect civilians and restore peace.
Criticism & Opposition
Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlighted ongoing recruitment of children by armed groups. Its Americas director, Juanita Goebertus, warned that “armed groups in Colombia are recruiting children with impunity,” and criticized reliance on air strikes where minors may be present.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The identity of the tenth body from Operation Amon remains unresolved. Authorities have not confirmed whether it belongs to Juan Antonio Agudelo Salazar, alias Urias Perdomo, a lieutenant of the “Calarca” structure who was listed as a primary target.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Armed groups in Colombia are recruiting children with impunity,” — Juanita Goebertus, HRW’s Americas director
What’s Next
On August 31, 2026 the government launched the “Azarias” operation against the Carolina Ramirez Front in Guaviare’s Miraflores municipality. Preliminary reports indicate eight dissidents killed and three captured; two individuals identified as minors are undergoing age verification. President de la Espriella said authorities are checking whether the front’s alleged leader “El Tigre” was among those killed. The operation follows the earlier strikes and suggests the administration will continue its aggressive campaign while facing domestic and international scrutiny over civilian and child casualties.
