Colombian army frees 57 soldiers held captive by locals

Armed group detained soldiers protecting port infrastructure

The Colombian army liberated 57 soldiers held captive by locals after an armed group seized them while protecting a port facility in the country's southwest, the army said in a statement on Thursday. The soldiers were captured on Wednesday after the armed group attacked the facility in Tumaco, near the border with Ecuador, and took control of the area. The military launched a rescue operation overnight that involved air and land forces, according to the statement. The soldiers were safely evacuated and the armed group withdrew from the port. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

Tumaco a strategic point for drug traffickers

Tumaco is a strategic location for drug traffickers, as it is the largest cocoa bean exporting port in Colombia and serves as a transshipment point for drugs heading north. The attackers reportedly seized weapons and ammunition from the military posts in the area. The army did not provide details on the identity of the armed group, but clashes between guerrilla groups and drug traffickers are common in the region.

Government reinforces security in the area

The government has reinforced security in the area and mobilized additional troops to ensure the safety of citizens and infrastructure in the southwestern provinces, according to the army. The move comes as Colombia's President, Gustavo Petro, seeks to implement a peace deal with the country's largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The group formally disarmed after the 2016 peace deal, but some former members have splintered off and turned to drug trafficking.

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