Drone attack blamed on guerrillas kills at least three soldiers in Colombia

At least three soldiers were killed and four wounded in a drone attack followed by a clash inside a military compound in north-eastern Colombia late on Friday. Local authorities have blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the strike, which targeted a military unit in Ocaña, Norte de Santander department. The ELN, an armed group active since 1964, is reportedly based in the Catatumbo region, which includes parts of Norte de Santander. This region is a strategic area bordering Venezuela and a primary coca-producing zone, where the ELN is said to vie for control with dissident factions of the Farc. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack.

Colombian authorities attribute an attack on a military compound in Ocana, Norte de Santander, to the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group. The incident, which occurred the night before Saturday, resulted in the deaths of three soldiers and injuries to four others. According to reports, the ELN utilized approximately 20 drones to drop explosives on the compound before engaging in fighting. President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack and vowed a strong state response. This event occurs in the Catatumbo region, a known ELN stronghold, and follows a period of continued deadly attacks by armed groups since the president's inauguration.

An attack involving drone-dropped explosives followed by a clash inside a military compound in northeastern Colombia killed at least three soldiers and wounded four. The Colombian army reported the incident on Saturday, with local authorities blaming the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the late Friday attack on a military unit in Ocaña, Norte de Santander, a department bordering Venezuela. President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack and vowed a strong state response. The ELN, active since 1964, operates in the Catatumbo region and includes dissident FARC factions, both vying for control of the area, a key coca-producing zone with access to the Venezuelan border. This incident follows other recent attacks in the region attributed to the ELN.