Three Colombian Soldiers Killed in Guerrilla Drone Attack

Three Colombian soldiers have been killed and four others injured after a drone laden with explosives struck a military vessel patrolling a river near the country’s Pacific coast on Tuesday, officials from the Colombian Navy reported.

The attack underscores a rising trend in deadly drone assaults and comes amid Colombia’s worst surge of violence since the 2016 peace treaty between the government and the now-defunct FARC guerrilla group.

Incident Details

According to the Navy’s press release:

• The attack took place while troops were patrolling the Naya River, a remote area close to Colombia’s main Pacific port.
• Three soldiers were killed instantly during the strike.
• Four additional soldiers were injured and promptly airlifted by helicopter to the city of Buenaventura for urgent medical treatment.

Perpetrators

Authorities attribute the attack to a FARC dissident faction led by Ivan Mordisco, a former mid-level guerrilla commander who refused to sign the 2016 peace agreement.

• President Gustavo Petro, a leftist leader, attempted to negotiate peace with Mordisco.
• Officials report that Mordisco abandoned negotiations in 2024 after a year of talks, leaving the dissident group free to continue violent operations.

Colombia has seen a resurgence of violence in recent years, particularly along its Pacific coastal regions and rural riverine areas, where dissident factions of former guerrilla groups operate.

Drone attacks have emerged as a deadly tactic, enabling guerrilla factions to strike military and civilian targets from a distance. The Naya River strike represents one of the most significant drone attacks against Colombian military forces in recent months.

The Colombian Navy has vowed to intensify patrols and increase security measures along rivers and ports to prevent further attacks. Meanwhile, President Petro’s government faces growing pressure to curb violence and stabilise regions affected by dissident guerrilla activity.