El Tambo, Cauca – Forty-five Colombian military personnel are being held hostage following a coordinated kidnapping in El Tambo, Cauca, the Army confirmed Saturday. The soldiers were abducted by civilians in the village of Los Tigres, according to reports.The mass kidnapping represents a significant escalation of tensions in the region, jeopardizing ongoing peace efforts and raising concerns for the safety of security forces working to dismantle criminal groups and support economic change. President Gustavo Petro has called for the immediate release of the soldiers, framing the situation as an possibility to begin peaceful crop replacement programs and urging armed groups to lay down their arms, stating, ”Leave free soldiers, they can be your children. The children of Colombia must hug and survive their parents.” A dialog commission, Petro affirmed, is prepared and acting on his direction.Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the act as a “serious crime” and a “crime against humanity” perpetrated by both those directly involved and by dissident groups operating in the area, specifically referencing individuals known as “alias bite.” Sánchez stated that local communities are actively assisting in identifying those responsible, who will be brought to justice. He affirmed the continued presence of public forces in the region to support the transition away from illicit economies and dismantle criminal organizations, while upholding human rights and international humanitarian law.
