ON
← Back to feed
Government air strikes kill 20 alleged guerrillas in Colombia, president says
France🏛️ PoliticsLean Conservative9/2/2026

Government air strikes kill 20 alleged guerrillas in Colombia, president says

President Abelardo de la Espriella of Colombia announced that 20 alleged guerrilla fighters were killed in a recent air strike conducted by the government in Guaviare, southern Colombia. The operation targeted rebels under the leadership of Ivan Mordisco, head of the Central General Staff (EMC), a splinter group that separated from the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after their 2016 peace agreement. De la Espriella, a far-right leader aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump, has intensified military actions against armed groups linked to drug trafficking, illegal mining, and extortion. This airstrike follows previous attacks, including one where four minors were reportedly killed, though their identities remain unknown. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the increasing recruitment of children by armed groups through social media.

Government air strikes have killed 20 alleged guerrillas in southern Colombia, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella, who announced the operation in a video posted on X. The attack, conducted at dawn on Monday in the department of Guaviare, targeted rebels under the command of Ivan Mordisco, the country’s most-wanted insurgent. De la Espriella claimed the operation resulted in the neutralisation of 20 “narco-terrorists,” the capture of five individuals, and the rescue of two minors. The operation marks the third major aerial assault carried out by the new government since its inauguration on August 7. According to a military source cited by France 24, the death toll from these attacks has reached levels not seen since the presidency of Juan Manuel Santos, who led Colombia from 2010 to 2018. In previous strikes, four minors were among the casualties, two aged 15 and two aged 16. The identities of those killed in the latest strike remain unknown, though officials have confirmed the presence of two minors among the survivors. De la Espriella, a far-right political figure and vocal supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has intensified military efforts against armed groups linked to drug trafficking, illegal mining, and extortion. His administration has received $1 billion in security assistance from the United States following his election. The president has vowed to pursue a “zero tolerance” policy toward criminal organizations, emphasizing cooperation with countries such as Israel in counterterrorism initiatives. Ivan Mordisco leads the Central General Staff (EMC), a splinter group that separated from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after the 2016 peace agreement. The EMC is currently engaged in some of the fiercest conflict in Colombia’s history, with reports indicating increased recruitment of minors through online platforms. Rights organizations have raised concerns over the growing involvement of youth in armed activities, citing sophisticated social media strategies used by insurgents to attract young recruits. The recent strikes follow a pattern of escalating force by the Colombian government, reflecting a broader shift in national security strategy. Military officials have stated that the EMC remains a key target due to its role in destabilizing regions and its ties to transnational organized crime. The government has also emphasized the need to disrupt funding streams for these groups, particularly those derived from illicit economic activities. In response to the attacks, De la Espriella issued a statement on X, addressing Mordisco directly. He declared, “We are on your trail, Mordisco... I will make you pay for all the harm you have caused to Colombia.” This rhetoric underscores the administration’s commitment to a more aggressive stance against insurgency, even as critics warn of potential civilian casualties and human rights violations. The situation in Colombia continues to evolve, with ongoing tensions between state forces and armed groups. As the government intensifies its military campaign, the focus remains on dismantling networks that fuel violence and instability. Future actions will likely depend on intelligence assessments, operational success, and international support, particularly from the United States and other allies. The immediate outcome of the latest strike remains under investigation, with authorities working to confirm the exact number of casualties and the long-term impact on regional security.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

5 reports

France 24 (English) logoFrance 24 (English)State / PublicConservativeFactual 75Objective 659/1/2026
Government air strikes kill 20 alleged guerrillas in Colombia, president says

President Abelardo de la Espriella of Colombia announced that 20 alleged guerrilla fighters were killed in a recent air strike conducted by the government in Guaviare, southern Colombia. The operation targeted rebels under the leadership of Ivan Mordisco, head of the Central General Staff (EMC), a splinter group that separated from the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after their 2016 peace agreement. De la Espriella, a far-right leader aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump, has intensified military actions against armed groups linked to drug trafficking, illegal mining, and extortion. This airstrike follows previous attacks, including one where four minors were reportedly killed, though their identities remain unknown. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the increasing recruitment of children by armed groups through social media.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the government's military action against armed groups as necessary and justified, emphasizing the threat posed by 'narco-terrorists' and aligning the president with U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump. The focus on the far-right alignment of the president and the mention of U.S

Why factuality (75): The article reports the government's claim of killing 20 'narco-terrorists' in air strikes, citing the president's statement. It includes details about the location, the target (Ivan Mordisco), and contextual information about the president's alignment with Trump and U.S. support. However, it mentio

Why objectivity (65): The tone leans toward supporting the government's actions, using phrases like 'ramps up military operations' and 'staunch ally of Trump.' While it provides some context about the political climate, it frames the strikes as necessary and justified, showing a slight bias towards the government's persp

France 24 (Français) logoFrance 24 (Français)State / PublicConservativeFactual 75Objective 659/1/2026
Colombia: 20 guerrillas killed in bombings ordered by new government

The Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced that twenty guerrillas were killed during airstrikes ordered by his administration in areas controlled by insurgents. The operation targeted rebels under the leadership of the most wanted rebel, Iván Mordisco, in the southern region of Guaviare. This marks the third such airstrike since de la Espriella took office on August 7, with the highest death toll recorded since the era of Juan Manuel Santos (2010–2018). Four minors, aged 15 and 16, were killed in previous strikes, though it remains unclear if any minors were among the victims this time. De la Espriella vowed to pursue Mordisco aggressively and enhance cooperation with the U.S. and Israel against organized crime.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the airstrikes as a necessary and justified military action against 'narcoterrorists,' emphasizing the government's tough stance on criminal groups. The language used ('neutralized,' 'without mercy') aligns with right-wing rhetoric, portraying the government as taking strong, resk

Why factuality (75): This French version mirrors the English article, reporting the same figures and context. It adds details about the military source stating that four minors were killed in prior strikes and notes the third bombing with a high death toll. It references AFP and aligns with the cross-source consensus, t

Why objectivity (65): The article maintains a similar tone to the English version, presenting the government's actions as part of a broader strategy against criminal groups. Phrases like 'bombardements les plus meurtriers' and 'lutte sans merci' suggest a supportive stance toward the government's aggressive approach, ind

Mediapart logoMediapartIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 75Objective 609/1/2026
Colombia: 20 guerrillas killed in bombings by new government

The article reports that 20 guerrilla fighters were killed in bombings carried out by the new Colombian government. The attacks reportedly targeted members of armed groups operating in the region. The situation highlights ongoing security challenges in Colombia, where the government has been engaged in efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability. The reported casualties raise concerns about the escalation of violence and the potential impact on regional peace processes.

Bias read (Progressive): The article focuses on the actions of the Colombian government against armed groups, which is a politically charged issue. The framing emphasizes the government's role in carrying out the attacks, potentially highlighting their efforts to address security threats. This could align with leftist stanc

Why factuality (75): The article reports that 20 guerrilla fighters were killed in bombings by the new government. This claim appears to align with the cross-source consensus among the available articles, though no primary source document was found to verify the exact details. The phrasing 'bombardements du nouveau gouv

Why objectivity (60): The article presents the information in a straightforward manner but uses emotionally charged language such as 'tués' (killed) which can imply a strong stance. There is no clear indication of bias, but the lack of contextual background may suggest a limited perspective.

France 24 (Français) logoFrance 24 (Français)State / PublicCenterFactual 70Objective 559/2/2026
Colombia: 20 guerrillas killed in bombings by new government

The article reports on a video from France 24 regarding military actions in Colombia where 20 guerrilla fighters were killed during bombings carried out by the new government. The content includes a YouTube video which requires enabling cookies for audience measurement and advertising. There is a note indicating that a browser extension might be blocking the video player, suggesting users disable or remove it to view the content. The article features an image credit from France 24.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about military operations in Colombia without overtly favoring any particular political side. It focuses on reporting the event rather than taking a stance on the conflict or the government's actions. However, the mention of 'bombardements du nouveau gouvernement' (b

Why factuality (70): This article also states that 20 guerrilla fighters were killed in bombings by the new government. It includes a video link, but the content is not accessible due to cookie restrictions. The claim matches the cross-source consensus, but the absence of direct evidence or citations limits confidence i

Why objectivity (55): The article has a similar tone to the first, using the same phrasing. While it does not overtly express opinion, the focus on the government's actions without providing alternative viewpoints may lean towards a particular narrative, reducing objectivity.

Le Monde logoLe MondeIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual 60Objective 609/1/2026
In Colombia, government-ordered bombing kills 20 guerrillas

The article reports on airstrikes ordered by the Colombian government that killed 20 guerrillas. These attacks are described as the deadliest since Abelardo de la Espriella took power on August 7th, promising a ruthless campaign against criminal groups.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the government's actions as necessary and justified within the context of combating criminal groups, emphasizing the government's strong stance under President Abelardo de la Espriella. The focus on the 'ruthless' approach suggests a pro-government perspective, aligning with right

Why factuality (60): This article is shorter and lacks specific details such as the number of casualties beyond '20 guérilleros,' the exact location, or the involvement of the U.S. or Trump-aligned policies. It only mentions the general context of the government's actions since the president's inauguration. As a result,

Why objectivity (60): The article is brief and lacks any explicit commentary or framing that suggests bias. It simply states the facts as reported by the government without additional analysis or context, making it relatively neutral in tone despite limited depth.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories