Colombia’s Defense Ministry said Monday that security forces have neutralized more than 4,600 members of guerrilla groups, neo-paramilitary organizations and drug cartels so far this year.
According to an army report, 3,896 members of one of the country’s illegal armed groups were arrested while 213 were killed. 528 members of illegal armed groups voluntarily surrendered to justice.
The majority of the neutralized outlaws were common criminals, followed by FARC guerrillas.
Neutralized members of illegal groups
Of the members of illegal armed groups killed in combat, more than 80% were FARC guerrillas.
Killed members of illegal groups
According to the Defense Ministry, more than 1,500 firearms, 21,000 kilos of explosives and 617 gas cylinders (used as projectiles in rebel attacks) belonging to illegal armed groups were seized.
According to official estimates, more than 20,000 Colombians are member of one of the rebel or neo-paramilitary groups that operate in the country.
