Colombia drone attack by suspected guerrillas kills 3 soldiers, army says
Recently elected President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A series of drone-launched explosive attacks followed by clashes inside a military compound in northeastern Colombia resulted in the deaths of at least three soldiers and injuries to four others, according to Colombia's army. The incident occurred on Saturday. Local authorities attributed the attack to the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN), which has been active since 1964.
The targeted military unit was located in the municipality of Ocaña, in the Norte de Santander department, bordering Venezuela. Two soldiers succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while a third passed away after receiving medical attention, as confirmed by Colombia's military on social media platform X. President Abelardo de la Espriella strongly condemned the attack, stating that for every police officer or soldier lost, the full force of the State would be brought against the perpetrators.
The ELN operates primarily in the Catatumbo region, encompassing parts of Norte de Santander and Cesar departments, and is also believed to harbor dissident factions of the now-disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Both the ELN and FARC factions are competing for control over the strategic region, which includes significant coca-producing areas and the porous border with Venezuela.
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