The Associated Press reports from Bogotá that a leader of a faction that once belonged to the dissolved Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was killed alongside three of his subordinates. This occurred during one of the first military offensives by the government under Abelardo de la Espriella, according to information released Sunday.

Known by the aliases “Ruso” or “Alemán,” the primary leader of “Structure 28” was killed in an operation in rural Meta, a region in central Colombia. President De la Espriella announced this in a video circulated on social media. The president stated that this operation marks a significant success as the individual was an expert in explosives and played a vital role in carrying out actions against rival dissident groups over territorial disputes for illegal activities.

This faction operates under the leadership of “Iván Mordisco,” one of the most wanted men in Colombia. President De la Espriella demanded that Mordisco surrender to authorities or face the consequences. The announcement came just two days after De la Espriella took office and within 24 hours after a violent day in the country. Events included an explosive attack that destroyed a toll booth on a busy highway in the southwest and resulted in minor injuries to two soldiers.

In another military operation on Sunday in Antioquia, located in northwestern Colombia, the army killed two members of a faction of the Gulf Clan. This faction was implicated in the murder of four soldiers in 2024, the president stated. Furthermore, four other members were apprehended.

The conservative-leaning president said, “There will be no truce for bandits, and we will hunt them down.” His security strategy includes intensifying military pressure against organized crime. This represents a notable shift from the previous administration of Gustavo Petro, who favored controversial peace negotiations.