FARC dissident Carlos Sánchez Meza (alias Efrén) killed in Vichada, Colombia

Carlos Sánchez Meza, known as alias Efrén, the leader of Front 39 of the Central General Staff (EMC) of the FARC dissident group and close associate of the most‑wanted criminal Iván Mordisco, was killed in a joint Colombian military operation in the rural area of Cumaribo, Vichada. Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez announced the death, saying there is “no place where criminals can hide,” and noted a reward of 2 billion pesos had been offered for information on Efrén. The operation also captured two other members, seized weapons and a boat, and highlighted Efrén’s role in financing narcotics, extortion, illegal mining and arms trafficking, as well as training members to use explosive‑laden drones. Authorities said the strike weakens the dissident group’s financial and logistical capacity across Vichada and neighboring departments such as Meta, Guaviare, Vaupés, Amazonas, Putumayo and Caquetá.