Third Colombian soldier dies after drone attack on army battalion in Ocaña

A third Colombian soldier has died after drones loaded with explosives attacked an army battalion in Ocaña, near the Venezuelan border, raising the death toll from the assault to three.

The attack took place on Friday night at the El Trapiche military unit in Ocaña, in Norte de Santander. Colombia’s Defense Ministry said the assault was carried out by the Camilo Torres Restrepo Front of the National Liberation Army, or ELN.

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We deeply mourn the killing of Captain Marco David Pirajón Montezuma and professional soldiers Jhon Carlos Marrugo Manjarrez and Joel Alberto Jiménez Jaramillo, victims of the attack in Norte de Santander.

President Abelardo de la Espriella had initially reported the deaths of a captain and a soldier. Authorities later confirmed that a third service member had died from injuries sustained in the attack. The Defense Ministry identified the victims as Captain Marco David Pirajón Montezuma and professional soldiers Jhon Carlos Marrugo Manjarrez and Joel Alberto Jiménez Jaramillo. Five other soldiers were wounded, while shrapnel damaged a helicopter.

At the same time, ELN members attacked a police station in Guamalito, in the municipality of El Carmen, a short distance from Ocaña. Police said officers activated established protocols to protect residents and preserve security conditions.

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A new strategy for Catatumbo

Norte de Santander, particularly the troubled Catatumbo region, is home to several illegal armed groups, including the ELN and the FARC dissident Front 33. The groups are also engaged in a territorial dispute. De la Espriella said he would work with military and police commanders on “a new strategy for Catatumbo” aimed at hitting their structures, leaders, finances and illicit economies.

The Ombudsman’s Office backed the decision but urged authorities to address Ocaña and Catatumbo through a comprehensive approach. Ombudsman Iris Marín said the use of force was necessary as a deterrent, but insufficient without multisectoral action to tackle structural problems and protect civilians.

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The deterrent response through the use of force is necessary, but insufficient in a complex situation that requires multisectoral intervention to transform structural conditions and comprehensively protect the civilian population.