Security update
October 5: 1,200 troops sent after the ELN
Here's what happened since the last update, and what each one means.
1A new task force against the ELN
In Valledupar, the president activated a new joint task force, Urano: about 1,200 troops based in Aguachica, Cesar. Its job is to go after the ELN's leaders and its money in Cesar, Magdalena Medio and Catatumbo, including the theft of fuel from the pipeline.
What it meansThis is the group that hit police stations in Chocó with drones 11 times last week, and had a ton of drone explosives in Catatumbo. Going after its money goes after what pays for the drones and the explosives.
2Calarcá's No. 2 in Antioquia captured
The army, air force, police and prosecutors captured alias "Lobo," second-in-command of Front 36 of Calarcá's FARC dissidents, and his partner, alias "Samanta," in rural Valdivia, Antioquia. He's accused of forcing about 2,300 people from 23 rural areas of Briceño to flee in October 2025, and of extortion, forced recruitment and murder. There was a 100 million peso reward for him.
What it meansCalarcá's group was at the peace table with the last government until August. Now its leaders are being arrested.
3The US keeps striking drug boats
On October 4, the US military struck a speedboat on a drug route in the Caribbean and killed four people it called narco-terrorists. Since September 2025, US strikes on drug boats have killed at least 235 people in 70 attacks.
What it meansThe cocaine routes are now under attack on land by Colombia's forces, and at sea by the US.
On social media
His post on "Lobo" reached 54,000 views and 2,800 likes; the task force post, 43,000 views and 3,200 likes. Supporters filled the replies. The most-liked: "Each capture is a blow to crime and a relief for the communities. Now let's go for the top bosses." (27 likes) and, under the task force, "More and more proud of my vote." The most-liked doubt was about the courts, not the army: "No more captures, Mr. President. We have a corrupt and useless justice system, and they'll let these criminals go any time." (11 likes) Another asked him to strengthen counterintelligence, because "there are many infiltrators in the armed forces."
I support most of this. But it doesn't go far enough. These groups use any space they're given to reset and grow. They need to be crushed, not contained.