The World Today
At least eight police officers have been killed and another eight injured when a government helicopter was shot down by a drone in northwestern Colombia, according to President Gustavo Petro, who blamed the attack on one of the FARC dissident groups.
The downing occurred in the Amalfi area of the Antioquia department. The officers were participating in a personnel transfer mission to assist in the eradication of coca leaf crops when they were hit by the drone, which Petro attributed to the 36th Front of the Central General Staff (EMC).
The governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián, has also linked him to FARC dissidents, particularly a group led by Alexander Díaz Mendoza, alias "Calarcá Córdoba," whom he believes is treated like a "little angel" by Petro despite his criminal activities.
"This is total peace for (Petro)," said the conservative governor, who said he was "attentive to this news, so painful for democracy and sad for" the security forces.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, however, blamed the downing on the Gulf Clan, which "is nothing more than a drug trafficking and terror cartel." "As such, it will be confronted with the full force of the State," he promised in his initial response.
For his part, Police Director Carlos Fernando Triana Beltrán lamented the "terrorist action" against the helicopter and promised that security forces will continue to combat "these criminals who are today bringing mourning to an entire country." Both the Armed Forces and the Police have sent troops to the area.
