Colombia raid kills four suspected guerrillas, minister says

A Colombian bombing raid killed four suspected guerrillas, including a 16-year-old girl, in the northeastern Catatumbo region, Defence Minister Jorge Mora said.

Mora said in a video released by local media that the raid took place at dawn on Sunday and targeted a camp of a dissident faction of the defunct FARC rebel group near the Venezuelan border. He said three men and the teenage girl were killed.

Mora also said three soldiers were “gravely affected as a result of a minefield.” He condemned the recruitment of minors by armed groups.

The attack was the fourth bombing ordered by President Abelardo de la Espriella since he took office in August. So far, 46 suspected guerrillas, including seven minors, have been killed.

Rights groups have warned that children and teenagers are increasingly being recruited by armed groups through social media campaigns. Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer and is facing its worst violence in a decade.

Since taking office, De la Espriella has increased bombings and ground operations against armed groups. Colombia has also joined the Shield of the Americas, US President Donald Trump's anti-cartel alliance of Latin American countries including Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador.