Colombian cartels seek Ukraine drone skills to target the army at home

Colombian drug cartels are seeking the expertise of Ukrainian drone operators to use against Colombia's military, according to the Financial Times. The criminal groups are allegedly recruiting volunteers in Ukraine under the guise of military service, hoping to gain valuable skills that can be applied against Colombia's armed forces.

A case in point involved a Colombian volunteer in the Ukrainian Armed Forces who discovered several fellow countrymen with suspected ties to Colombian organized crime, which prompted their removal from the Ukrainian military. The issue of such infiltration did not appear isolated, as multiple reports emerged throughout 2025 highlighting Colombian illegal armed groups attempting to send soldiers to Ukraine.

The main concern, according to a Colombian aid worker in Ukraine, is the specialized knowledge these individuals are acquiring. Many recruited individuals are former paramilitaries, guerrillas, or soldiers who are learning drone operation alongside one another. Drones have significantly altered modern warfare, as seen in Russia's conflict with Ukraine, and Colombia faces a potential threat to its long-standing military advantage of air superiority in jungle operations.

The Colombian government has traditionally relied on air superiority to combat leftist rebel groups and drug traffickers, but the growing drone industry, coupled with the criminal adaptation of this technology for attacks, poses a serious challenge to this advantage. Colombian Defense Minister Gen. Pedro Sánchez noted that the military has neutralized 96% of attempted drone attacks in 2025, either by destroying the devices or jamming their radio frequencies.