ELN attack with drone explosives kills three soldiers in northeastern Colombia

An attack involving explosives dropped from drones followed by a clash inside a military compound in north-eastern Colombia has killed at least three soldiers and wounded four, Colombia’s army said on Saturday.

Local authorities blamed the attack – which took place late on Friday – on the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN).

It targeted a military unit in the municipality of Ocaña, in the Norte de Santander department, which borders Venezuela. Two soldiers died at the site and a third after receiving medical attention, Colombia’s military said on X.

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.

Much of ELN, an armed group active since 1964, is based in the Catatumbo region, which includes parts of the Norte de Santander and Cesar departments. ELN also harbours 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.

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.