A drone attack followed by a clash inside a military compound in north-eastern Colombia has killed at least three soldiers and wounded four, according to local authorities.
Officials attributed the attack, which occurred late on Friday, to the National Liberation Army (ELN), a rebel group active since 1964. The attack targeted a military unit in Ocaña, in the Norte de Santander department, which borders Venezuela. Two soldiers died at the site, and a third later died after receiving medical attention.
Colombia’s president condemned the attack, vowing a strong response. The ELN and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) are competing for control of the region, which is a major coca-producing area and shares a border with Venezuela. In August, a similar attack outside a police station in Cucuta injured 11 officers and killed a police dog.
Why it matters
The attack highlights the ongoing conflict in a strategically important region of Colombia, affecting military personnel and regional stability.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
The response from the Colombian government and any further attacks in the region are key indicators of the situation’s development.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.