MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Colombia orders strong offensive after guerrillas ambush and kill 19 soldiers

Santos: “I instructed our forces not to stop shooting until the conflict is over”

Colombia’s president has ordered the military to mount a strong offensive against the country’s biggest rebel movement, FARC, after guerrillas killed 19 soldiers this weekend in two regions. President Juan Manuel Santos said Sunday the army will go after the rebels even though the government has been in peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia since last year.

Santos says Colombia has put its hand out to the FARC and is negotiating to end a half-century-long conflict. But, in his words, “we also have the club, we have the military force, and we are going to use it.”

“These attacks are not the way. They will be confronted forcefully” Santos pledged. “I instructed our forces not to stop shooting until the conflict is over.”

“Our hearts are with the families of the fifteen heroes who sacrificed their lives in Arauca for the tranquility and security of their fellow citizens,” President Juan Manuel Santos said.

He said the soldiers, guarding a pipeline, were attacked Saturday in the eastern region bordering Venezuela by about 70 rebels, twelve of whom were captured by government forces.

Five of those seized were wounded, he added.

Peace talks between the rebels and the government opened last November in Cuba, the fourth attempt since the 1980s to end Latin America's longest-running armed conflict.

The half-century old guerrilla war has left 600,000 dead, more than 3.7 million displaced and 15,000 missing.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, is the country's largest guerrilla group, with some 8,000 fighters.

The latest casualties come just hours after the military said six FARC guerrillas and four soldiers were killed Saturday in clashes in the southwest of the country.

The Colombian army has been very active against the rebels in these past months. According to government figures almost 500 rebels have been captured or killed in these last few months.

Late Friday the FARC announced it had captured a former US soldier and was ready to release him as a goodwill gesture for the peace talks.

US ambassador Michael McKinley said Kevin Scott Sutay was in the country as a tourist and demanded his immediate release. The International Committee of the Red Cross meanwhile said it had made contact with the rebels in an effort to free him.

Santos also made a strong pitch on Saturday in favor of his government's negotiations with the FARC, saying in a speech he saw a “real opportunity” for peace, but warned about the consequences of not reaching an agreement.

“Hopefully the guerrillas will come to their senses and we'll get to the end of this conflict as soon as possible,” he said Sunday, adding that the FARC would suffer the consequences otherwise. Talks are expected to resume in Havana on July 28.

Santos made his speech during the 203 celebration of Colombian independence from Spain, which also marked the opening of Congress sessions.