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Petro Labels Attackers in Cauca 'Terrorists' After Seven Civilians Killed

From El Nacional · (4h ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Colombian President Gustavo Petro has strongly condemned an attack in Cauca that killed seven civilians and injured 17, labeling the perpetrators as "terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers."
  • Petro attributed the attack to armed groups under the command of alias Marlon, linked to Iván Mordisco, the leader of the Central General Staff (EMC), a dissident faction of the FARC.
  • The president called for intensified offensives against these organizations, including financial tracking and increased military presence, and announced plans to formally denounce the group leaders to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

President Gustavo Petro has issued a scathing denunciation of the brutal attack that claimed the lives of seven civilians and left 17 others wounded in Cajibío, Cauca. In a forceful statement on X, Petro unequivocally labeled the perpetrators as "terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers," underscoring the extreme nature of the violence and the ideological motivations behind it.

Those who attacked and killed seven civilians and injured 17 more civilians in Cajibío (...) are terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers.

— Gustavo PetroPresident Petro's condemnation of the perpetrators of the attack in Cauca.

Petro directly implicated armed groups operating under the command of alias Marlon, identifying them as factions linked to Iván Mordisco, the most wanted individual in Colombia and the leader of the Central General Staff (EMC). The EMC, a significant dissident faction of the former FARC, has been designated by Petro as "criminals against humanity," highlighting the severity of their actions and the Colombian government's commitment to holding them accountable.

The attack in Cauca is part of a disturbing escalation of violence in southwestern Colombia. In recent days, explosive attacks have also targeted military units in Cali and Palmira, as well as a radar installation in Cauca, all attributed to the EMC's Jaime Martínez column. This pattern of violence underscores the persistent threat posed by these armed groups to both civilian populations and state infrastructure.

I want maximum worldwide persecution against this narcoterrorist group.

— Gustavo PetroPresident Petro's call for intensified action against the armed groups responsible for the attack.

In response, President Petro has demanded an intensified offensive against these organizations. This includes a comprehensive approach involving the Financial Information and Analysis Unit (UIAF) to track their finances and a bolstered military presence in the Cauca department. Furthermore, Petro announced his intention to formally lodge a complaint against the leaders of these groups with the International Criminal Court, asserting that their actions constitute international crimes. The Colombian government's stance is clear: these acts of terror will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will face the full force of national and international justice.

Their actions constitute international crimes.

— Gustavo PetroPresident Petro's statement regarding the potential prosecution of group leaders at the International Criminal Court.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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