Two Soldiers Killed in Drone Attack on Colombian Army Base

Two Colombian soldiers were killed when drones carrying explosives attacked the El Trapiche military base in Ocaña, in the Norte de Santander department near the Venezuelan border.

President Abelardo de la Espriella said the preliminary report confirmed the deaths of an officer and a professional soldier. Five other professional soldiers were wounded, and shrapnel struck an Air Force aircraft. The attack occurred at about 7:20 p.m. local time, when residents heard the first explosions.

“

The preliminary report confirms the murder of an officer and a professional soldier, and five professional soldiers wounded. An aircraft of our Air Force was also hit by shrapnel.

Official reports attributed the assault to the Camilo Torres Restrepo Front of the National Liberation Army, or ELN. The army said it activated the relevant security protocols and began verifying the damage. A helicopter and part of the military infrastructure were also affected, with the assessment still underway.

“

To the families of our two murdered heroes, all my solidarity, prayers and Colombia’s gratitude. To our wounded soldiers, my wish for a speedy recovery.

The attack comes in Norte de Santander, particularly the Catatumbo region, where several illegal armed groups operate. These include the ELN and the 33rd Front of the FARC dissidents.

De la Espriella expressed solidarity with the families of the two soldiers and wished the wounded a quick recovery. He also said he would design a new strategy for Catatumbo with military and police commanders, targeting the armed groups’ structures, leaders, finances and illicit economies.

“

I will design, together with the military and police leadership, a new strategy for Catatumbo. We will strike their structures, their leaders, their finances and the illicit economies that feed their criminal machinery.