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Siege of Mitú

From 3 to 5 November 1998 during the Colombian conflict, rebels belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) laid siege to the Colombian village of Mitú, Vaupés Department.

Siege of Mitú
Part of the Colombian conflict
DateNovember 1–4, 1998
Location
Mitú, Colombia
Result
  • Occupation of the town by guerrillas
  • Destruction of much of Mitú by FARC
  • Colombian reinforcements quell attack four days later
Belligerents
FARC  Military Forces of Colombia
Colombian police
Commanders and leaders
Strength
~1,500 120
Casualties and losses
800 (killed by Colombian reinforcements)
    • ~31-150 estimated
    • 31 confirmed
    • 61 abducted
11+ civilians killed by FARC
40 buildings destroyed

Attack

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On 1 November 1998, left-wing FARC guerillas launched an assault on the village (which is also the regional capital of Vaupés Department), FARC entered the city, taking over the aerodrome as they entered the fortified police station. The police had only 120 officers, making them outnumbered and overwhelmed by the 1,500 FARC militants. Casualties were heavy, and many policemen were taken hostage. Officer César Augusto Lasso [es] recalled seeing 18 of his colleagues being killed by rebels.[2]

The entire town fell under FARC control, which tried to cut off all communication with the outside world. Mitú, which is inaccessible to reach by land, had virtually all its communications severed.[3] The last radio message was on 2 PM on 1 November, and only one plane, a Colombian Red Cross aircraft that managed to evacuate 4 injured youths ranging in age from 3 to 20 years old, was allowed to enter the village.[4]

On 4 November, Colombian troops sent 500 reinforcements into Mitú, which crossed through Brazilian territory, which Brazil said was an illegal action.[5] Mitú was retaken and over 800 guerillas were estimated to have been killed during the counter-offensive.[6][7]

At least 37 soldiers and police officers were confirmed to have been killed. Other sources estimate that 43 were killed,[8] and the local hospital put the toll at 150.[5] At least 11 civilians, including a 19-year old teenager, were also killed by FARC.[9] After the battle FARC soldiers were also reported to have executed many of the 61[9] people they had captured, including mayor Luis Peña after he complained about his living conditions.[9] Soldier César Augusto Lasso [es] was not released until 2014, making him FARC's longest-held hostage.[10]

Much of Mitú was destroyed during the battle. Historian Harvey F. Kline says that at least 40 buildings, including a courthouse and a hospital were destroyed by FARC and 200 explosives were detonated.[11] The United States Department of State said that guerillas had destroyed entire city blocks, "including private homes, a church, and a school."[12]

References

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  1. ^ "¿Quién es el Coronel Enrique Murillo?". 13 June 2010.
  2. ^ "Colombian Embassy attaché tells of harrowing 13-year ordeal as a FARC captive". The Tico Times. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Hundreds of Rebels Attack Colombia Police Base". Los Angeles Times. 2 November 1998. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  4. ^ Tiempo, Casa Editorial El (16 March 2010). "Así registró EL TIEMPO la toma de Mitú, Vaupés (3 de noviembre de 1998)". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Colombian Troops Oust Rebels From State Capital". The New York Times. The Associated Press. 5 November 1998. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. ^ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Refworld | U.S. Committee for Refugees World Refugee Survey 1999 - Colombia". Refworld. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army | Mapping Militant Organizations". web.stanford.edu. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Colombian rebels, awaiting peace talks, turn to mass attacks". www.latinamericanstudies.org. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Mitú fue el infierno". EL ESPECTADOR (in Spanish). 19 March 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  10. ^ colombiareports (18 June 2015). "Colombian state convicted over 1998 FARC siege on city". Colombia News | Colombia Reports. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  11. ^ Kline, Harvey F. (June 2012). Historical Dictionary of Colombia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7813-6.
  12. ^ "1998 Human Rights Report". 1997-2001.state.gov. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
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