An attack involving explosives dropped from drones, followed by a clash inside a military compound in north-eastern Colombia, has resulted in the deaths of at least three soldiers and injuries to four others. Colombia's army confirmed the details on Saturday.
Local authorities have blamed the late Friday attack on the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN). The target was a military unit located in the municipality of Ocaña, within the Norte de Santander department, which shares a border with Venezuela. The Colombian military stated on X that two soldiers died at the scene, with a third succumbing to injuries after receiving medical attention.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack, stating, “For every police officer or soldier murdered, we will bring the full weight and legitimate force of the state down upon the criminals.”
The ELN, an armed group active since 1964, has a significant presence in the Catatumbo region, which includes parts of the Norte de Santander and Cesar departments. The group also reportedly harbours dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that did not participate in the peace agreement a decade ago. Both groups are reportedly competing for control of this strategic region, which is connected to the Venezuelan border and is a primary coca-producing area in Colombia.
This incident follows other recent attacks blamed on the ELN. In August, an explosion outside a police station in Cucuta injured 11 police officers and killed a police dog. Earlier this week, a car bomb explosion outside a police station in north-eastern Colombia reportedly killed at least one civilian and injured 11 others.