Colombian troops killed at least 22 FARC guerrillas in a raid on their jungle camp on Sunday in the latest violence since President Juan Manuel Santos took office in August. Colombia's war had ebbed as the government's US-backed security campaign battered leftist rebels and cocaine traffickers. But attacks and clashes have increased over the last three weeks as the FARC tried a show of strength.
Santos has promised to keep up his predecessor's hard-line on security, which resulted in a sharp fall in bombings, kidnappings and attacks and an increase in foreign investment to a country once seen as a failing state mired in violence. Sunday's bombardment and special forces assault took place in Putumayo province, once a FARC stronghold and a cocaine hotspot near the remote jungle frontier with Ecuador.
"This is a severe blow to the 48th front of the FARC," Defence Minister Rodrigo Rivera said in a declaration to Santos broadcast on radio. "The operation continues, and so far the toll is 22 narco-terrorists taken out."
The latest violence is an attempt by FARC to show its presence before a new government, but also illustrates its struggle as rebels try to draw troops away from areas where the military is closely pursuing two top commanders, analysts say.