Colombia says villagers taking orders from rebel groups kidnapped 34 soldiers

Colombia says 34 soldiers have been “kidnapped” by villagers under orders from a rebel group in Guaviare province after a clash that killed 10 FARC holdouts. The villagers are reportedly demanding the return of a slain rebel’s body. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed to use all resources to secure the soldiers’ release and offered a $5,000 reward for information on the rebel commanders behind the incident, the Associated Press has reported. Such detentions are part of ongoing security challenges in rural areas contested by drug gangs and armed groups since the FARC peace deal in 2016.