Colombia’s National Army has confirmed the deaths of two soldiers following an attack by the ELN guerrilla group on the Trapiche military base in Ocaña, a municipality in the northeastern department of Norte de Santander near the border with Venezuela. The assault involved a swarm of drones rigged with explosive devices, a tactic that has become increasingly common among armed groups operating in Colombia’s ongoing internal conflict.
According to military officials, the explosive-laden aircraft struck the base directly, leaving five additional service members injured. The attack also reportedly damaged an Air Force helicopter stationed nearby. Colombian authorities have not yet released full details on the extent of the material damage or the exact sequence of events during the assault.
The ELN (National Liberation Army), Colombia’s largest remaining active guerrilla organization, has continued armed operations despite ongoing, often stalled, peace negotiations with the government. Drone attacks like this one highlight a troubling shift in the group’s capabilities, as improvised explosive drones have increasingly replaced or supplemented traditional ambush and landmine tactics in remote regions of the country.
Norte de Santander has long been a flashpoint in Colombia’s conflict due to its strategic location along drug trafficking routes and its proximity to Venezuela, where armed groups often find refuge. The identities of the two fallen soldiers have been released by military authorities, though further investigation into the attack is ongoing.
For the full report and additional details, read the original story at El Tiempo.
Source: Las identidades de los uniformados muertos tras ataque del Eln a cantón militar en Ocaña, Norte de Santander (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: mark6mauno, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).