Colombian army says 16 suspected FARC rebels, 1 soldier killed in clashes

Colombian: 16 rebels, 1 soldier killed in fighting

BOGOTA — The Colombian military says at least 16 suspected guerrillas and one soldier have been killed in clashes.

Defense Minister Gen. Freddy Padilla says troops faced off with rebels belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in the southern department of Meta.

Padilla says soldiers seized camping equipment, munitions and other items following Friday and Saturday’s clashes.

He added that the suspected rebels answered to No. 2 FARC commander Jorge Briceno, or “Mono Jojoy.”