A drone attack on a military base in northern Colombia has killed three soldiers and wounded at least 16, the country’s armed forces announced.
The Colombian military stated that the attack hit a base located in Santa Rosa del Sur, a small town situated in the foothills of the San Lucas mountain range. Authorities have not yet identified who carried out the strike, which forms part of an escalating series of attacks on security forces as rural violence intensifies across the country.
The region is heavily rich in gold mines and has long been disputed by various rebel armed groups, including the Gulf Clan, the National Liberation Army, and smaller factions led by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
Footage shared on social media depicted clouds of smoke rising from the base following three explosions, with soldiers taking cover in shelters constructed from sandbags.
President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the incident on social media, writing that those responsible will have nowhere to hide and that every attack strengthens the resolve to defend Colombia.
Violence has escalated in several rural regions since President de la Espriella assumed office in August as a conservative leader.
The president previously cancelled peace talks with rebel groups, adopting a confrontational strategy that includes increased airstrikes, additional troop deployments in cities, and the creation of joint task forces to protect strategic assets.
Government officials argue that armed groups utilized ceasefires granted by the prior administration to consolidate control over rural territories where they tax local businesses and profit from drug trafficking.
In response, some armed groups have escalated their assaults against the nation's armed forces.
Last week, a military base located in Tolima province was targeted using missiles manufactured from gas canisters, resulting in the deaths of four civilians including an infant.
Furthermore, police stationed in the border city of Cucuta have experienced multiple attacks involving remotely activated bombs.
According to data from the conflict monitoring group ACLED, state forces and illegal armed groups conducted 34 bomb or explosive attacks in Colombia during the four weeks leading up to October 16, marking a nine percent increase compared to the previous year's four-week average.
Although a 2016 peace agreement with the FARC led to the demobilization of more than 14,000 fighters, smaller splinter groups have continuously fought to control former rebel territories.
Why it matters
The deadly drone attack highlights the deteriorating security situation in rural Colombia as the government pursues a confrontational approach against armed rebel factions.