BOGOTA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed in a military bombing of camps of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissident groups in rural Guaviare, in east-central Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella said Thursday.
"In a precision bombing and subsequent operation by our commandos, the preliminary toll is eight terrorists neutralized so far," the president wrote on X, adding that several military supplies were also seized.
He said the military operation, named AMON, targeted a FARC dissident faction led by Alexander Diaz, also known as "Calarca," in a rural area of the municipality of El Retorno. He said the operation was still underway.
"Colombia must know that we are going on the offensive. The major ringleaders and their criminal structures will have no hiding place or sanctuary anywhere in the national territory," the president said.
Colombia's Defense Ministry said U.S. Southern Command chief Francis Donovan arrived in Colombia to meet Defense Minister Jorge Mora.
The ministry said the visit was aimed at strengthening information sharing, intelligence and the capabilities of the Colombian Military in the fight against "narco-terrorist organizations," as well as boosting cooperation against drug trafficking and organized crime under the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition.
