Colombian Rebels Kill 19 Soldiers

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/world/americas/colombian-rebels-kill-19-soldiers.html

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TAME, Colombia — Defense Ministry officials said Sunday that 19 Colombian soldiers were killed over the weekend in two clashes with rebels, the government’s deadliest losses since it began peace talks late last year.

In the bloodier of the two clashes, 15 soldiers protecting an oil pipeline under construction were killed in Arauca Province, near the border with Venezuela, when they were attacked with explosives.

The rebels, members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, have a strong presence in the region and frequently attack the Cano Limon-Covenas oil pipeline, which is owned by Ecopetrol, a state-controlled oil company.

President Juan Manuel Santos, who traveled to the region on Sunday, confirmed the army casualties and said 12 guerrillas were captured. He ordered more troops to the region to try to capture the other rebels, some of whom had been injured.

“These are the instructions to our forces: don’t stop shooting for even a moment until we reach the end of this conflict,” Mr. Santos said.

Four other soldiers were killed in clashes in Caqueta Province in the south of the country in clashes with the FARC, the army said, adding that six guerrillas were also killed.