33 Colombian Soldiers Freed After Community-Led Hostage Crisis Amid FARC Dissident Operations

In a troubling episode that underscores the ongoing security challenges emanating from South America’s drug-fueled insurgencies, 33 Colombian military personnel were held hostage by local communities in Guaviare after an operation targeting FARC dissidents. Their release on Thursday marks a temporary relief but also a stark reminder of the persistent instability that threatens not only Colombia but American interests across the hemisphere. Why Does This Matter to America? While these soldiers were detained in a remote village called Nueva York in Colombia’s Guaviare department, the ramifications are far from distant. The region is a known corridor for narcotics trafficking into...