This is how 16 dissidents were handed over to the Army in Nariño: they belonged to the armed group that was in negotiations with the National Government

On August 3, 2026, sixteen individuals affiliated with the illegal armed group known as 'Mariscal Sucre,' part of the 'Coordinadora Nacional Ejército Bolivariano' (CNEB), surrendered themselves to military authorities in Tumaco, Nariño, along the Pacific coast. The handover took place near a military checkpoint operated by the Army’s forces in a secondary road within the municipality. These individuals had been trained in the use of both short and long-range firearms, as well as in the installation of anti-personnel mines. They were also reportedly instructed by their superiors to gather information from local merchants, business owners, and influential figures in order to carry out extortion and intimidation campaigns against them. The surrender marked one of the largest such operations in the region over the past five years. According to preliminary reports, some of the individuals had joined the group two years prior, while others had been members for less than a year. The operation was conducted under the auspices of the Force Task Hercules, a specialized unit of the National Army. The military confirmed that the action significantly weakened the structure of this criminal organization, which has been engaged in drug trafficking, extortion, intimidation, and homicide in the area. During the operation, the Army recovered a substantial amount of weaponry, including nineteen firearms, over three thousand four hundred cartridges, and sixty-three ammunition supplies for rifles and pistols. The commander of the Force Task Hercules, Colonel William Morales, stated that the seizure of this equipment effectively disrupted the group's logistical and combat capabilities. He emphasized that the confiscated materials posed a direct threat to civilian populations and military personnel alike. In addition to the sixteen individuals who surrendered, the Army successfully rescued two minors who had been victims of forced recruitment. These children were found safe and healthy after being taken into custody. This outcome highlights the broader efforts of the national security forces to dismantle organized crime networks operating in conflict zones. The CNEB is considered a faction of the so-called Second Marquetalia, a coalition of rebel groups that have been engaged in peace talks with the Colombian government. However, there is ongoing debate regarding the exact identity of the groups involved in these negotiations. In March 2024, the Council of State temporarily suspended the effects of Resolution 064, issued in February 2024, which authorized the establishment of a dialogue table with the insurgency. While the ruling referenced the Second Marquetalia, the process has continued with the CNEB. The Foundation for the Rule of Law (FEDe Colombia) had previously filed a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of the dialogue process, insisting that it was actually the Second Marquetalia that should be recognized. According to official records, the government achieved sixteen agreements with this group during the negotiations. Despite these legal disputes, the recent operation underscores the effectiveness of military actions in disrupting the activities of armed groups. The Army described the operation as a “contingent blow” against illegal armed groups operating in the territory. The Third Division of the Army noted that the military actions carried out in recent days in Nariño represented a significant setback for criminal organizations active in the region. The operation continues to be monitored by security agencies, with further steps planned to ensure the stability of the area.