Colombia: 7 Police Officers Killed in Ambush After President Gustavo Petro Called for Peace

Even though a former leftist rebel is now sitting as the duly-elected president of Colombia, the country still has rebellions going all around. Now, the country has suffered its deadliest ambush since President Gustavo Petro took office.

Seven police officers were killed in an ambush after a police pickup truck was hit with a land mine before rebels shot those still inside dead. The incident happened in the southwestern department of Huila, with the vehicle just leaving a social event in the region.

At first, the Colombian government estimated that there were eight people dead. However, one survived, so the government revised their count to just seven. The sole survivor is currently being treated at a hospital.

VOA News reported that among those killed were at least three young police officers aged 20 years or less. The youngest of them was only 18.

President Gustavo Petro Condemns Attack

According to the BBC, no group has claimed any responsibility for the ambush so far. However, Colombian media has pointed out that it might be the handwork of one of the guerilla groups still operating in the area. Security sources are saying the same, though they are more specific and blamed it on former members of the now disbanded communist group FARC, as they still operate in the area.

A former rebel guerilla fighter himself, Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the attacks. On social media, he called it "a clear act of sabotage against peace." He also expressed solidarity with the families of the officers who died in the ambush.

Petro arrived with General Helder Giraldo in Neiva, where the attack took place. He said that while they are pursuing peace, achieving "total peace" did not mean remaining silent in the face of crimes.

Petro had been campaigning to fight inequality by providing free university education, pension reforms, and high taxes on unproductive lands. He also pledged to implement the 2016 peace deal, which ended the half-century-long conflict with FARC rebels and seeks to negotiate with the National Liberation Army (ELN), which is considered the last organized guerrilla group operating in Colombia.

Rising Violence in Colombia Posts Big Challenge for New President

Violence has been rising throughout Colombia in the last five years. This includes direct attacks on the police, as The New York Times reported. This comes as the 2016 peace deal falters as the years go by and dissident groups still operating.

The government promised job opportunities and reforms to the rebels, but this did not happen for many of them, with armed criminal groups filling the vacuum left by the FARC. Petro promised to make the peace deal a priority in his campaign, though with attacks such as the recent ambush still happening, it is noted that he still has a long road ahead in his still young presidency.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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