Petro orders 'total offensive' against FARC dissidents in southwest Colombia

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered a "total offensive" against the Central General Staff (EMC), the largest dissident faction of the FARC, in the southwestern department of Cauca. The group is under the command of Néstor Gregorio Vera, known as Iván Mordisco, who is considered the country's most wanted man.

Petro announced the order on his social media, stating, "I have given an order: total offensive against the bloodiest group of drug trafficking. I expect obedience from all military and police forces." He specified that the operation would focus on the volatile Cauca region.

The president also claimed that authorities had recently "managed to defeat the two main leaders of the structures of the so-called Iván Mordisco in Cauca." This refers to recent operations against alias Marlon and his alleged right-hand man, alias Ñeque, who was killed on Monday and was wanted in the United States for extradition.

With his term ending on August 7, Petro appealed to the minors and young people within the EMC to leave the armed group and reintegrate into civilian life. "It is time for the final offensive in Cauca, young people and children who are part of the mafia force, I ask you as president of the people to abandon the ranks of the narco and move to civilian life. The law protects you, please, before the missiles that will fall on our people," he added.