In a tragic incident that highlights the ongoing security crisis in Colombia, three soldiers were killed in a drone attack in the southwestern part of the country. The Colombian military announced that the assault, which involved explosive-laden drones targeting members of the navy and army at a checkpoint on the Naya River, was attributed to a dissident faction of the Farc rebel group. This event adds to the growing concern over drone warfare, with over 115 recorded drone strikes in Colombia in 2024 alone, most executed by illegal armed groups.
The soldiers who lost their lives in the attack were identified as Wilmar Rivas, Andrés Estrada, and Dario Estrada. Four additional members of the security forces sustained injuries during the assault, which occurred near Buenaventura, a pivotal city on the Pacific coast notorious for its role in drug trafficking. The region is fertile ground for the operations of disillusioned members of the Farc who rejected the peace agreement formed in 2016.
Military intelligence has linked the assault to a group led by Iván Mordisco, who abandoned peace negotiations with the government in April 2024. Mordisco's faction is involved in various criminal enterprises, including the extortion of landowners, illegal mining, and cocaine smuggling. The Colombian government has acknowledged the urgent need to enhance its anti-drone capabilities to better identify and counter these autonomous threats, aiming to protect its forces and civilians alike amidst a resurgence of violence.
The soldiers who lost their lives in the attack were identified as Wilmar Rivas, Andrés Estrada, and Dario Estrada. Four additional members of the security forces sustained injuries during the assault, which occurred near Buenaventura, a pivotal city on the Pacific coast notorious for its role in drug trafficking. The region is fertile ground for the operations of disillusioned members of the Farc who rejected the peace agreement formed in 2016.
Military intelligence has linked the assault to a group led by Iván Mordisco, who abandoned peace negotiations with the government in April 2024. Mordisco's faction is involved in various criminal enterprises, including the extortion of landowners, illegal mining, and cocaine smuggling. The Colombian government has acknowledged the urgent need to enhance its anti-drone capabilities to better identify and counter these autonomous threats, aiming to protect its forces and civilians alike amidst a resurgence of violence.
