Four Colombian soldiers have been killed and two others injured in an ambush near the town of Caucasia in northern Colombia. The attack is believed to have been carried out by the Gulf Clan, a powerful criminal gang involved in drug trafficking.
The soldiers were deployed to the area following reports of a shootout between the Gulf Clan and a rival group, Los Caparrapos. The region is a key transit route for drug smuggling and has high levels of violence.
The Colombian army stated that members of the Gulf Clan opened fire on the soldiers as they approached. Reinforcements have been sent by land and air to pursue those responsible.
The Gulf Clan, led by Dairo Antonio Úsuga, also known as Otoniel, is described by the US Department of State as a heavily armed, extremely violent criminal organisation. The US has offered a $5m reward for information leading to his arrest.
The attack comes amid ongoing violence following the 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). While most Farc fighters disarmed, criminal groups like the Gulf Clan have continued to target social activists and former rebels.
Last week, four former Farc commanders appeared in a video calling on supporters to take up arms again, citing the government's failure to fulfil its commitments. It remains unclear how many fighters the revived group commands, but fears of increased attacks on civilians and security forces are growing.
