Colombian army destroys drug lab, seizes 1.8 tons of cocaine

The Colombian army has struck a significant blow against drug trafficking by destroying a laboratory and seizing more than 1.8 tons of cocaine. The operation took place in the small town of Mercaderes in the country's southwest. President Abelardo de la Espriella, who refers to himself as "The Tiger," declared the seizure a "heavy blow against drug trafficking." He attributed the production facility to the left-wing rebel group ELN, the largest active guerrilla organization in Colombia.

"We continue to strike against the illegal economies that finance terrorism and violence. Drug trafficking is the enemy of Colombia, and we will fight it relentlessly," De la Espriella stated. The right-wing hardliner centered his election campaign on security and combating drug gangs, receiving support from then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Colombia recently joined Trump's "Shield of the Americas" anti-drug alliance, agreeing to joint military operations against drug cartels with the United States.

Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine. The ELN has consistently denied direct involvement in drug trafficking. In January, leader Antonio Garcia claimed the group taxes cocaine traffickers but does not operate labs or drug routes. Founded in the early 1960s, the ELN has approximately 5,000 fighters in Colombia and Venezuela.

Separately, President De la Espriella requested that U.S. President Trump suspend tariffs to aid Colombian entrepreneurs struggling after a recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake that killed hundreds and injured nearly 4,000 people.

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We continue to strike against the illegal economies that finance terrorism and violence. Drug trafficking is the enemy of Colombia, and we will fight it relentlessly.