Latin America

Guerrilla drone attack kills two in Colombia

By AFP

Published on septembre 5, 2026 at 09:24

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged to get tough on crime, blamed the country's largest active armed group for the attack — Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP
President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged to get tough on crime, blamed the country's largest active armed group for the attack — Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP

A guerrilla drone attack on a military garrison in Colombia killed at least two soldiers and wounded five others on Friday, authorities said.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged to get tough on crime, blamed the country's largest active armed group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), for the attack.

"To the ELN I say with absolute clarity: for every police officer or soldier you kill, I will bring down on you the full weight and legitimate force of the State," he said on X.

The attack took place in Ocana, in the northeastern Catatumbo region, where De la Espriella's government is currently conducting military operations against guerrillas.

A military source in the region told AFP that at least 20 drones loaded with explosives were used.

Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer and is grappling with its worst violence in a decade.

Since taking office, De la Espriella has stepped up bombings and ground operations against armed groups.

Colombia also has joined the Shield of the Americas, US President Donald Trump's anti-cartel alliance of Latin American countries including Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador.

De la Espriella is set to receive US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla next week.

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