Deadly Drone Attack Claims Lives of Three Colombian Soldiers

In a recent escalation of violence, three soldiers lost their lives in a drone attack, with injuries reported among additional forces.

Three Colombian soldiers were tragically killed in a drone strike attributed to dissident rebel factions in southwest Colombia. The attack, which took place near the Naya River, involved explosive-laden drones targeting military personnel assigned to a security checkpoint. Authorities reported that four other soldiers sustained injuries during the assault, indicating a growing trend in drone warfare within the country.

Statistics reveal that drone attacks in Colombia have surged, with 115 incidents recorded just in 2024 alone, predominantly executed by illegal armed groups. The Colombian government recognizes the escalating threat and has been working to enhance its anti-drone capabilities, aiming to better detect and neutralize these aerial assaults.

This latest incident occurred close to Buenaventura, a port city heavily influenced by drug trafficking. The three fallen soldiers, identified as Wilmar Rivas, Andrés Estrada, and Dario Estrada, were honored by army officials. The rebel group responsible for the attack is linked to dissidents from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which did not accept the peace agreement negotiated in 2016.

The region is notorious for cocaine transport routes, which are crucial for the funding of various criminal groups. Leadership of the group involved in this drone strike has been attributed to Iván Mordisco, who recently disengaged from peace negotiations with the government. The dissident factions he commands are engaged in a variety of illicit activities, including extortion and illegal mining, further complicating the security landscape in Colombia.