Colombia’s military has dealt one of the biggest blows in the history of drug trafficking paramilitary group “Los Urabeños,” killing at least 12 in a bombardment.
The attack took place in the municipality of Unguia in the northwestern jungles of Chocó where the successor group of paramilitary organization AUC allegedly had a training camp.
Never before has the Colombian military reported to use air strikes on paramilitary forces or their successors euphemistically called Criminal Bands or BaCrim by authorities.
However, with progressing peace talks with leftist rebels that have been at war with the state for more than half a century, the government has increasingly targeted other illegal armed groups, like the successors of the feared AUC paramilitary group.
The military, supported by the National Police, has had thousands of men deployed in the northwestern Uraba region since the beginning of the year, hoping to find the leader of the Urabeños, “Otoniel.”
Chasing ‘Otoniel’, the elusive top boss of Colombia’s drug trade
The AUC-turned-Urabeños commander has been able to avoid capture though, reportedly often hiding in jungle shacks to evade capture.
The Urabeños are suspected of having some 3,000 men in arms, dedicated mostly to drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion.
The group has been active since the demobilization of the AUC between 2003 and 2006.
