The Colombian government confirmed on Monday that a series of air strikes in the southern region of the country resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals identified as members of the Central General Staff (EMC), an armed guerrilla group. President Abelardo de la Espriella, who recently took office, announced the operation as part of his administration's ongoing security strategy.

This latest military action follows two similar strikes conducted in August. While the government maintains these operations target combatants, reports from sources within the Colombian forensics authority suggest that previous strikes resulted in the deaths of at least four minors. The government has not yet provided specific details regarding the identities of those killed in the most recent operation, nor has it addressed the allegations concerning the presence of minors in the targeted areas.

The operation highlights the ongoing tension between the new administration and the EMC. While the government characterizes these strikes as necessary measures against armed insurgents, the involvement of forensics authorities in reporting civilian or minor casualties suggests a significant point of friction regarding the military's rules of engagement and the accuracy of intelligence used to authorize these strikes.