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Colombian villagers free 66 soldiers taken captive on Friday

SIXTY-SIX soldiers who had been “kidnapped” by villagers in southern Colombia have been released unharmed, the Defence Ministry said on Monday.

It added that the soldiers will continue operations against rebel groups in the province of Guaviare.

Colombia’s army has long struggled to defeat rebel groups in Guaviare, which has been heavily affected by deforestation and cocaine trafficking.

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