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Colombia: Nearly 30 Dead in Bloody Clashes Between Dissident FARC Factions in the Amazon

Published January 19, 2026, 08:18
Colombia: Nearly 30 Dead in Bloody Clashes Between Dissident FARC Factions in the Amazon

Nearly 30 people have been killed in fierce clashes between two factions of former FARC dissidents in southern Colombia, specifically in the Guaviare department within the Amazon region, according to army sources. Fighters from the Iván Mordisco group – led by the country's most wanted rebel – clashed with another group under the command of 'Calarcá'. Both groups reject the terms of the 2016 peace agreement that led to the disarmament of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and continue armed activities. They are vying for control of territory in the Amazon and are involved in conflicts over drug trafficking revenues, illegal mining, and extortion. The army reports that the fighting is due to disputes over territorial control. These clashes occur months before presidential elections and amid growing criticism of President Gustavo Petro's government for its leniency towards criminal organizations. The government had previously engaged in peace talks with the Iván Mordisco faction, but these were suspended in 2024.