Two soldiers killed in drone attack on military base in northeastern Colombia

Explosive-laden drones struck a Colombian army garrison in Ocaña, killing an officer and a professional soldier and wounding five other soldiers, President Abelardo de la Espriella said.

The attack targeted the El Trapiche military canton in Norte de Santander, a department bordering Venezuela. The president said the preliminary report confirmed the deaths and injuries, and that an aircraft from Colombia’s air force was hit by shrapnel.

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The preliminary report confirms the killing of an officer and a professional soldier, and five professional soldiers wounded. An aircraft from our air force was also hit by shrapnel.

Authorities attributed the assault to the Camilo Torres Restrepo Front of the National Liberation Army, or ELN. The group attacked with explosive devices launched from drones, according to the information cited in the report. The army said it activated established security protocols and was checking the damage caused by the explosions.

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

The first detonations were heard by residents at about 7:20 p.m. local time. A helicopter was also affected, while the rest of the military infrastructure remained under assessment.

Several illegal armed groups operate in Norte de Santander, particularly in the troubled Catatumbo region. They include the ELN and the 33rd Front of FARC dissidents. De la Espriella said he would work with the military and police leadership on a new strategy for Catatumbo, targeting the groups’ structures, commanders, finances and illicit economies.

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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.