Colombian soldier survives three weeks lost in jungle

A Colombian soldier who went missing in the jungle has been found after a 23-day ordeal that he survived by eating raw tortoise and singing rap songs to himself. Yefer Orlando Sanchez Fonseca got separated from his unit on March 5 while on patrol in the dense tropical forest of central Colombia’s Meta department, an area rife with armed groups, including the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). A lone colleague stumbled upon him on Monday morning, more than three weeks after he went missing.

Thanks to my army survival training, I learned that anything that monkeys eat, we can eat too.

Rescued soldier Yefer Orlando Sanchez Fonseca

Sanchez, who was found filthy and on the verge of fainting, said in a radio interview that he had no food or water when he got lost. He lived off seeds and discovered that red-footed tortoise is a “delight”. He said he saw FARC rebels at one point while staggering through the thick vegetation, but decided against surrendering to them. To keep his spirits up, he sang rap songs to himself - a habit he is known for among his comrades. Sanchez, who is being treated for dehydration and fatigue at a military base, said he plans to stay in the army despite his ordeal.

I barely slept. I was just clinging to my rifle, always on alert.

Yefer Orlando Sanchez Fonseca

soldier lost in jungle