Colombia hits rebel camps with airstrikes

BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombia’s president on Wednesday ordered the resumption of air raids on rebel camps after an attack by leftist guerrillas killed 11 soldiers and wounded 19, jeopardizing progress in 2-year-old peace talks.

President Juan Manuel Santos, however, gave no indication the government was thinking of pulling out of the negotiations, saying the bloodshed underlined the need to end Colombia’s half-century conflict.

The attack occurred around midnight Tuesday in the volatile southwest department of Cauca when an army platoon sleeping in a covered sports pavilion was surprised by guerrillas firing homemade explosives and grenades. A corporal and 10 other soldiers died during the attack by a unit of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, the army’s 3rd Division said.

Santos condemned the attack, which he said was premeditated and not the result of any army incursion. He said he had lifted a month-old suspension on aerial bombings of FARC camps.

“Let it be very clear to the FARC: I’m not going to let myself be pressured by vile acts like this,” Santos said.

The rebel movement responded by demanding the government initiate its own cease-fire and urging Colombia’s leaders to “keep cool.” The FARC’s statement said the incident resulted from the “permanent offensive by government troops against our units.”