Three Colombian soldiers lost their lives in a drone attack near Buenaventura, a city synonymous with drug trafficking activities along the Pacific coast. The assault, claimed to be orchestrated by a dissident faction of the FARC rebel group, specifically targeted members of the navy and army stationed at a checkpoint on the Naya River. This tragic incident also resulted in injuries to four other security personnel.
Authorities noted a concerning trend, as Colombia recorded 115 drone attacks throughout 2024 alone, primarily executed by illegal armed groups. In light of this surge, the government has announced plans to bolster its anti-drone capabilities to detect and neutralize such threats effectively.
The three deceased soldiers, identified as Wilmar Rivas, Andrés Estrada, and Dario Estrada, were remembered by the army for their service. The region, known for its cocaine smuggling routes, has seen an escalation of violence driven by dissident factions that rejected the 2016 peace deal. Notably, the attack was attributed to a group led by Iván Mordisco, a dissident leader who abandoned peace negotiations with the government earlier this year.
Recent weeks have seen a troubling rise in targeted attacks against Colombian security forces, further underscoring the precarious security landscape in areas plagued by drug-related violence.
