<p>Bogota: At least 20 Colombian fighters from rival rebel factions were killed in weekend clashes over control of a strategic jungle area for drug trafficking, military sources and the human rights ombudsman office reported on Monday.</p><p>The clashes pitted opposing factions from what was once the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) against one another in the country's southeastern Guaviare jungle.</p><p>The violence follows an offensive launched by another rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), in northeastern Catatumbo region that left at least 80 people dead and 11,000 displaced.</p><p>"A high number of people have been reported dead and injured," the ombudsman's office wrote in a post on X. The army and local authorities reported at least 20 dead rebels in the latest jungle violence.</p><p>The rival FARC factions include one that is engaging in peace talks with President Gustavo Petro's administration, and another that has vowed to fight on after the government suspended a bilateral ceasefire.</p><p>The two factions split last April due to internal differences.</p><p>Armed conflict in Colombia has lasted more than six decades and is funded mainly by drug trafficking and illegal mining. It has left over 450,000 dead and millions displaced.</p>
<p>Bogota: At least 20 Colombian fighters from rival rebel factions were killed in weekend clashes over control of a strategic jungle area for drug trafficking, military sources and the human rights ombudsman office reported on Monday.</p><p>The clashes pitted opposing factions from what was once the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) against one another in the country's southeastern Guaviare jungle.</p><p>The violence follows an offensive launched by another rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), in northeastern Catatumbo region that left at least 80 people dead and 11,000 displaced.</p><p>"A high number of people have been reported dead and injured," the ombudsman's office wrote in a post on X. The army and local authorities reported at least 20 dead rebels in the latest jungle violence.</p><p>The rival FARC factions include one that is engaging in peace talks with President Gustavo Petro's administration, and another that has vowed to fight on after the government suspended a bilateral ceasefire.</p><p>The two factions split last April due to internal differences.</p><p>Armed conflict in Colombia has lasted more than six decades and is funded mainly by drug trafficking and illegal mining. It has left over 450,000 dead and millions displaced.</p>