Colombia Violence Intensifies as FARC Splinter Group EMC Attacks South, Kills Police Officers

A splinter group of the FARC known as the EMC recently attacked police and military in southern Colombia, leading to the deaths of two police officers and two others. There were two separate attacks, with the Colombian government calling both "terrorist attacks."

In the first attack, EMC rebels opened fire and set off cylinder bombs at a police station in Morales. Two police officers were killed, along with two other people in the prison holding cells. Three other policemen were injured.

According to VOA News, the police station is in ruins following the attack, with multiple bullet marks on its facade. The attack was reminiscent of how the old FARC rebels attacked. The Marxist group has now disbanded after a deal with the government, but its break-away group known as the EMC continued its guerilla activities.

The attacks came just weeks after the EMC walked away from peace talks with the Colombian government. The Gustavo Petro has been trying to implement its Total Peace initiative and has been trying to reach out to various rebel and criminal groups, including the leftist EMC and ELS rebels, as well as the right-wing drug cartel, Clan del Golfo. While the Clan del Golfo has said they are willing to negotiate, the two Marxist rebel groups recently had their talks with the government break down.

Soon after the first attack, the Colombian Army sent 100 soldiers to the town and did a sweep. Police Director William Salamanca noted that authorities found more explosive devices were found in the streets around Morales.

2nd EMC Attack Was a Bomb Attack That Injured 6 People

As for the second attack, it happened in the southwestern city of Jumundi. It was a bomb attack that injured six people. This is the latest in a series of attacks from the EMC, which has restarted since peace talks broke down with the Colombian government.

Last Friday, the EMC also attacked, but this one was a roadside bomb. While the rebel group usually attacks police and military, this roadside bomb reportedly killed an 11-year-old, according to the Associated Press.

"The split within the EMC is real and is likely to be permanent," Elizabeth Dickinson, a Colombia analyst at the International Crisis Group, warned regarding this latest round of attacks. We are headed towards a situation of atomization and fragmentation in the conflict, which has pretty dramatic implications for civilians."

Two Departments in Colombia Now in Heightened State of Security

Because of this latest round of attacks in southwestern Colombia by the former FARC splinter group, EMC, the two affected departments in the region, Cauca and Valle del Cauca, will likely be placed in a heightened state of security.

Crisis 24 has warned that the Colombian government will likely increase security in these two departments. It also warned that because the EMC usually targets soldiers and policemen, civilians should "Avoid concentrations of security forces; if stopped by security personnel, remain polite and cooperative. Consider carrying identification documents at all times. If violence breaks out in your area, seek shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building until the situation normalizes."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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