Colombia's New President Launches Crackdown as Rebel Leader Killed

Sun Sep 06 2026 05:56:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In central Colombia, military forces killed Hernando Forero Mosquera, flagged as a key leader of the dissident Frente 28 group, shortly after President Abelardo de la Espriella vowed a hard‑line campaign.

Late Sunday, Colombian troops eliminated Hernando Forero Mosquera, an alleged commander of the dissident Farc foe Frente 28, in a central operation that underscores President Abelardo de la Espriella’s pledge to decisively tackle armed groups. The action follows his recent inauguration and marks a stark contrast to the negotiation‑focused agenda of former President Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella’s strategy has already attracted international backing, notably a $1 billion security aid package from the U.S. and membership in the Hemisphere Shield coalition. The killings serve as a warning to rebels engaged in illicit drug trafficking and mining, according to state officials.

Colombia's New President Launches Crackdown as Rebel Leader Killed

Military forces report that Hernando Forero Mosquera—identified as the leader of the dissident faction Frente 28—was killed in a Colombian operation in central Colombia late Sunday.

The strike comes immediately after President Abelardo de la Espriella took office, demanding a hard‑line approach to “narco‑terrorism” that sharply diverges from his predecessor Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” policy focused on negotiation.

De la Espriella has already released a statement praising the troops for neutralising Mosquera, whom he described as an explosives expert, and announcing that three more alleged members of Frente 28 were eliminated in Meta province. He also noted the killing of two individuals linked to the Gulf Clan in Antioquia.

The campaign follows a history of ceasefire violations by dissident groups that broke the 2016 peace deal signed by the original Farc, turning to illicit mining and drug trafficking to fuel a resurgence of violence. State intelligence claims Frente 28 remains a prominent part of that threat.

De la Espriella’s aggressive stance has drawn the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly endorsed him. The U.S. State Department confirmed a $1 billion security assistance package for the new Colombian government and welcomed the country’s membership in the Hemisphere Shield coalition aimed at combating transnational crime.

After the swearing‑in, two explosive devices detonated in Cauca and Cesar provinces, killing a police officer and injuring security guards, underscoring the volatility that the new administration seeks to address.