At least three Colombian soldiers were killed and four wounded in an attack involving explosives dropped from drones followed by a clash inside a military compound in north-eastern Colombia, the army said Saturday. Local authorities blamed the late Friday attack on the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN).
Attack details and casualties
The attack targeted a military unit in the municipality of Ocaña, in the Norte de Santander department, which borders Venezuela. According to Colombia’s military, two soldiers died at the site and a third after receiving medical attention. The military reported the incident on X, stating that the attack involved drones and a subsequent clash inside the compound.
Colombia’s president, Abelardo de la Espriella, condemned the attack. “For every police officer or soldier murdered, we will bring the full weight and legitimate force of the state down upon the criminals,” he said.
ELN's presence and regional context
Much of the ELN, an armed group active since 1964, is based in the Catatumbo region, which includes parts of Norte de Santander and Cesar departments. The ELN also harbors dissident factions of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that did not join the peace agreement a decade ago.
Both groups are vying for control of the strategic region, which connects to the porous border with Venezuela and is one of Colombia’s primary coca-producing areas.
Recent attacks in the region
In August, an explosion outside a police station in Cucuta injured 11 police officers and killed a police dog. Officials also blamed that attack on the ELN. Earlier this week, at least one civilian was killed and 11 other people were injured after a car bomb exploded outside a police station in north-eastern Colombia.
