Colombia, June 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Some 57 Colombian soldiers who had been detained by residents of a guerrilla-controlled region were released unharmed on Monday, the authorities said.

Over the weekend two groups of soldiers were carrying out an operation in a cocaine-producing enclave in the country's southwest when they were taken captive.

"Our 57 military personnel are free," the Ministry of Defense posted on social media.

In conflict-ridden regions of Colombia, some illegal groups at times order civilians to carry out actions to impede the advance of security forces.

The security personnel are usually released hours later after the intervention of human rights organizations.

The government said that more than 20 people had been detained in what they called a "rescue" operation.

The army has maintained that the farmers receive orders from the so-called Central General Staff (EMC), the main FARC dissident group that did not sign the 2016 peace agreement with the then-government.

President Gustavo Petro has been trying for months to ensure that the military has control over a canyon in the area.

In March, 28 police officers and a soldier were held captive by residents in the same area. All were released two days later.

Colombia is experiencing its worst security crisis in the last decade.

Earlier this month the EMC claimed responsiblity for a series of bomb and gun attacks that killed seven people across the southwest.

Petro has attempted to negotiate peace with the EMC, but its main leader, known as "Ivan Mordisco," has abandoned the talks.