BOGOTÁ, November 8 (Aalimi Nation) – A drone attack on an army base in northern Colombia killed three soldiers and wounded at least 16 others, the country's armed forces said, in the latest in a series of strikes on military installations that has tested the new government's hardline security policy.
The Colombian military announced the attack in a statement on Saturday. The strike hit the military compound at Santa Rosa del Sur, a small town in the foothills of the San Lucas mountain range in Bolívar department, which houses the army's 48th Jungle Battalion. The army said the drones had been modified to carry explosive devices.
Casualty figures differ
The number of wounded has varied between reports. The army's initial account referred to eight injured, while later reports citing the armed forces put the figure at at least 16. The military did not immediately provide a full breakdown of the injuries. All reports agree that three soldiers were killed.
Footage shared on social media, not independently verified, showed smoke rising from the base after three explosions.
No group has been named
Authorities have not said who carried out the attack, and no group has publicly claimed responsibility. The area is rich in gold mines and has long been contested by armed groups, including the Gulf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and smaller factions led by former FARC fighters.
President's response
President Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative who took office in August, responded on X. He said those responsible would have "nowhere to hide" and that every attack against Colombian soldiers strengthens his government's resolve to defend the country.
A pattern of attacks on bases
The strike follows earlier attacks in the same municipality. Officials said drone attacks with explosives in May this year killed one soldier and wounded four at Santa Rosa del Sur. Last week, a military base in Tolima province was hit by improvised missiles made from gas canisters, and four civilians, including a two-month-old baby, were killed, according to officials.
Security policy under strain
Violence has increased in rural areas since de la Espriella took office, according to analysts and conflict monitors. The president cancelled peace talks with rebel groups and adopted a more confrontational approach, including more airstrikes, additional troops in some cities and joint task forces to protect an oil pipeline running from the Caribbean coast to central Colombia.
His government argues that armed groups used ceasefires granted by the previous administration to tighten their control over rural areas, where they tax businesses and profit from the drug trade. The government has not said whether it will change tactics after the latest attack.
A conflict-monitoring group recorded 34 bomb or explosive attacks involving state forces and armed groups in the four weeks to October 16, a rise of 9 percent over the same period last year.
Background
Colombia's 2016 peace agreement with the FARC led to the demobilisation of more than 14,000 fighters. Since then, smaller groups have fought over former rebel territory.
The army had not released the names of the dead soldiers at the time of reporting.
