Four Police Officers Killed in Colombia – Reports

Four police officers reportedly were killed in possible insurgent attacks in Colombia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Four police officers were killed in possible insurgent attacks in Colombia on Saturday, local media reported.

One of the attacks, in which three officers were killed, took place in the Norte de Santander region near Venezuela, while the other deadly attack took place in Meta, according to El Heraldo.

Another officer sustained injuries, the news outlet reported, citing police authorities.

It is yet unknown who carried out the attacks, according to local law enforcement. El Heraldo noted that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), as well as drug smugglers operate near the Venezuelan border where one of the killings took place.

FARC was established in 1964 as the military wing of the country’s Communist Party. ELN, a smaller left-wing insurgent group, has also been active in the country since the 1960s.

Both groups have been deemed terrorist organizations by Colombia, as well as the United States, the members of the European Union and several other countries.

In March, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos ordered to halt attacks on FARC positions for one month.

In addition, Santos ordered to temporarily suspend the arrest warrants against several rebels who were to take part in a demining process agreed upon with the government.