Latest news with #NationalLiberationArmy
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dog loses leg in bomb explosion, credited with saving dozens of lives
A military dog is being hailed as a hero in Colombia after detecting a bomb planted by guerrilla fighters that exploded during a military operation, authorities said, adding that the wounded canine's actions saved the lives of dozens of soldiers and civilians. The incident was announced just two days after a bomb strapped to a donkey exploded in the same area, killing one soldier and wounding two others. The anti-explosive canine, named Sanson, was helping troops conduct a reconnaissance operation in Antioquia, a mountainous region in northwest Colombia, when the bomb exploded, the army said Friday in a social media post. Authorities said the bomb had been planted on a "community-used path" by the National Liberation Army, known by its Spanish language acronym ELN. With one of his legs shattered by the blast, Sanson was able to drag himself to his handler, soldier Carlos Eduardo Beleño, authorities said. "Our #FourLeggedHero lost one of his limbs but saved the lives of 36 soldiers and hundreds of residents of the La Raya hamlet in Yondó #Antioquia, who pass through this area daily," the Second Division of the National Army said in a separate social media post. Authorities said Sanson is now recovering after surgery, and his leg had to be amputated. A video released by the army shows the dog being treated for his injuries after the explosion and later being examined at an animal hospital. "He will no longer be able to serve, but his legacy will live on in every soldier he bravely protected," the army said. The Colombian military blamed the explosion on ELN, a group of roughly 6,000 fighters that is fighting Colombia's government. Peace talks with the group -- which the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist organization -- were suspended in January, when the ELN was blamed for dozens of deaths in raids near the border with Venezuela. Authorities said the attack targeting soldiers violated international humanitarian law and put the "entire civilian population at risk." News of the explosion came just days after a bomb attached to a donkey exploded in the same region of Colombia, killing one soldier and wounding two others. ELN was also blamed for that attack. Earlier this month in Italy, a heroic sniffer dog who helped find nine missing people during his career was killed by food laced with nails, sparking national outrage and a police investigation. Sen. Lindsey Graham says "a turning point, regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is coming" Student's unique talent that's for the birds Candy Land, the game that still hits a sweet spot
Arab Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Colombian soldier killed, 2 wounded in an attack from explosives laden on mule
BOGOTA, Colombia, July 10, (AP): A Colombian soldier was killed and two others wounded Wednesday when explosives carried by a mule exploded in rural northeastern Colombia, authorities said. Antioquia Gov. Andrés Julián Rendón confirmed the soldier's death and blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN ), a group of about 6,000 fighters that is still fighting Colombia's government. Rendón said "an equine armed with explosives' targeted soldiers patrolling near Valdivia. The army later confirmed the animal was a mule and condemned "the cruel and macabre use of animals to carry out terrorism.' Explosives delivered by car and motorcycle are more common in Colombia. The army said the last record of an animal being used was in 2013, when a dog was armed with explosives. Horses and donkeys have also been used in the past. President Gustavo Petro had opened a dialogue with the ELN and other armed groups with the goal of what he calls "Total Peace,' but suspended talks with the ELN in January after the group launched an offensive against a rival near the Venezuelan border that left more than 90 people dead.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Equine armed with explosives': Mule laden with explosives kills soldier in Colombia; National Liberation Army blamed
Representative image A Colombian soldier was killed and two others injured on Wednesday after explosives carried by a mule detonated in rural northeastern Colombia, said Antioquia governor Andres Julian Rendon, as reported by AP. He confirmed the soldier's death and blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group of around 6,000 fighters still engaged in conflict with the government. Rendon said the soldiers were patrolling near Valdivia when they were targeted by 'an equine armed with explosives.' The army later confirmed that the animal was a mule and condemned what it described as 'the cruel and macabre use of animals to carry out terrorism,' as quoted by AP. While car and motorcycle bombs are more common in Colombia, the military said the last known use of an animal for such an attack was in 2013, involving a dog. In the past, horses and donkeys have also been used to transport explosives. President Gustavo Petro had initiated peace talks with the ELN and other armed groups under his 'Total Peace' plan. However, those talks were suspended in January after the ELN launched an offensive against a rival group near the Venezuelan border, killing more than 90 people.
10-07-2025
- Politics
Colombian soldier killed, 2 wounded in an attack from explosives laden on a mule
BOGOTA, Colombia -- A Colombian soldier was killed and two others wounded Wednesday when explosives carried by a mule exploded in rural northeastern Colombia, authorities said. Antioquia Gov. Andrés Julián Rendón confirmed the soldier's death and blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN), a group of about 6,000 fighters that is still fighting Colombia's government. Rendón said 'an equine armed with explosives' targeted soldiers patrolling near Valdivia. The army later confirmed the animal was a mule and condemned 'the cruel and macabre use of animals to carry out terrorism.' Explosives delivered by car and motorcycle are more common in Colombia. The army said the last record of an animal being used was in 2013, when a dog was armed with explosives. Horses and donkeys have also been used in the past. President Gustavo Petro had opened a dialogue with the ELN and other armed groups with the goal of what he calls 'Total Peace,' but suspended talks with the ELN in January after the group launched an offensive against a rival near the Venezuelan border that left more than 90 people dead.
Toronto Star
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Colombian soldier killed, 2 wounded in an attack from explosives laden on a mule
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A Colombian soldier was killed and two others wounded Wednesday when explosives carried by a mule exploded in rural northeastern Colombia, authorities said. Antioquia Gov. Andrés Julián Rendón confirmed the soldier's death and blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN), a group of about 6,000 fighters that is still fighting Colombia's government.
