Colombia airstrike kills nine ELN guerrillas, president says

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said Thursday that security forces killed nine people in an airstrike on the National Liberation Army, or ELN, guerrilla group in southwestern Cauca department.

The operation took place in a rural area of Cauca, described as a drug trafficking corridor affected by cocaine-trafficking guerrillas.

De la Espriella took office in August after pledging to send armed groups to “prison or a grave.” Since then, he has ordered airstrikes that have left more than 50 people dead, including at least seven minors.

The latest strike was the second airstrike since August on the ELN, described as South America's oldest guerrilla group. In September, a Colombian judge ordered the government to use “reinforced caution” when ordering bombings where there are indications that minors may be present in guerrilla camps.