The tragic incident occurred while the soldiers were stationed at a checkpoint near Buenaventura, a region plagued by illegal drug activities. As drone attacks surge across the nation, the Colombian government is intensifying efforts to counteract this emerging tactic.
Drone Attack Claims Lives of Three Colombian Soldiers
Drone Attack Claims Lives of Three Colombian Soldiers
A recent assault using explosive-laden drones has resulted in the deaths of three army members in Colombia, highlighting the growing threat of drone warfare from dissident rebel groups.
Three soldiers lost their lives on Tuesday in a drone attack in south-west Colombia, with authorities attributing the assault to dissident factions of the country's rebel groups. The attack targeted personnel from Colombia's navy and army who were stationed at a security checkpoint along the Naya River, an area notorious for illegal drug trafficking. Alongside the fatalities, four others were injured in what is now regarded as a shocking escalation in the type of warfare employed by armed groups in Colombia.
In recent years, drone attacks have risen sharply, with 115 incidents reported in 2024 alone, primarily executed by illegal armed forces. In response to this alarming trend, Colombian officials announced plans in January to enhance anti-drone strategies aimed at improving detection and neutralization of such threats. This proactive measure follows a sequence of targeted attacks that have taken a devastating toll on Colombian security personnel.
The latest attack took place near Buenaventura, a key location for drug transport and a battleground for various armed factions. The deceased soldiers have been identified as Wilmar Rivas, Andrés Estrada, and Dario Estrada. The violence stems from splinter groups of the Farc rebel organization, which remains heavily active in the area, particularly those who rejected the peace treaty established in 2016.
Military leadership stated that the assault was orchestrated by a group overseen by a commander known only as Iván Mordisco. Mordisco walked away from peace negotiations with the government in April 2024. His dissident faction is notorious for engaging in a spectrum of criminal enterprises, including extorting local farmers, illegal mining, and cocaine production.
The recent wave of targeted attacks against Colombian security forces has left 27 dead in just two weeks, raising alarms about the escalating threats posed by drug gangs and rebel factions nationwide.
