ELN drone attack kills soldier, injures seven in Colombia's Catatumbo region

A soldier died and seven others were wounded in an attack by the ELN guerrilla group using explosive-laden drones in Colombia's Catatumbo region, a border area with Venezuela. The incident occurred early Sunday morning in the Barco La Silla sector while troops were engaged in control operations.

The deceased soldier was identified as Aldair Bermúdez Rodríguez. The injured soldiers were transported to medical centers in Cúcuta for specialized treatment, according to the EFE news agency.

The National Army condemned the use of these unconventional devices, warning that they pose an indiscriminate danger to both uniformed personnel and the civilian population. "The National Army rejects the use of unconventional warfare means and methods through drones equipped with explosives, which cause indiscriminate damage that not only affects the public force but also endangers the civilian population," the statement added.

Catatumbo remains one of Colombia's most conflict-ridden areas due to territorial disputes between the ELN and FARC dissidents.

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The National Army rejects the use of unconventional warfare means and methods through drones equipped with explosives, which cause indiscriminate damage that not only affects the public force but also endangers the civilian population.