BOGOTA (Reuters) – A FARC dissident commander has taken responsibility for a June bomb attack on a military base in the northeastern Colombian city of Cucuta, as well as the recent shooting of a helicopter carrying President Ivan Duque.

The attack on the 30th Brigade of the army left 44 dead, and two U.S. military advisors. In June, Duque and several other officials were on board a helicopter that was approaching the city.

For their part in the attacks, ten people were detained by police in Norte de Santander in MC: province in July. According to the attorney general, all were former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels (FARC), who rejected a 2016 peace agreement and belonged to the 33rd Front.

In footage filmed in Catatumbo on Wednesday, a commander using the nom-de guerre John Mechas stated that bombing attacks were directed against “the North American advisors” and the leaders.

Javier Alonso Velosa (Mechas), said, “Obviously, we were the ones that did it.” “It was appropriate to be able, with our own resources, to give them an effective hit.”

The dissidents are not hostile to normal soldiers, he said, adding that they will continue fighting “the machinery the oligarchy”.

The peace agreement saw 13,000 FARC members demobilized, ending the group’s involvement in over 50 years of war.

Former members of the FARC have now formed a legal party named Comunes. They are currently participating in transitional justice proceedings. In these proceedings they repeatedly ask forgiveness for crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and others.

According to estimates, there are around 2,500 FARC dissidents across the country.

Requests for comment were not immediately answered by the Colombian defense ministry or officials responsible for implementing peace agreements.