Three Colombian soldiers were killed and at least 16 wounded in a drone attack on a military base in Santa Rosa del Sur, a town in northern Colombia, the country's armed forces said Saturday. President Abelardo de la Espriella wrote on X that those behind the attack would have nowhere to hide, adding that “every attack against our soldiers strengthens our resolve to defend Colombia.”
The attack targeted a base in the foothills of the San Lucas mountain range, an area rich in gold mines that has long been disputed by rebel groups including the Gulf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and smaller groups led by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Authorities have not said who carried out the strike.
The assault is the latest in a series of attacks on security forces as violence rises across rural parts of the country since de la Espriella, a conservative, took office in August. The president cancelled peace talks with rebel groups and has taken a confrontational approach, including airstrikes, troop deployments and the creation of joint task forces to defend strategic assets. His government argues that armed groups used ceasefires granted by the previous administration to strengthen their hold on rural areas, where they tax businesses and profit from the drug trade.
Some groups have responded by stepping up attacks. Last week, a military base in Tolima province was targeted with missiles made from gas canisters, killing four civilians including a two-month-old baby. Police in the border city of Cucuta have been targeted repeatedly with remotely activated bombs.
ACLED, a conflict monitor, recorded 34 attacks involving bombs or explosives in the four weeks to October 16, a nine per cent increase over the average four-week figure for last year.
The 2016 peace deal with FARC led to the demobilisation of more than 14,000 fighters, but smaller groups have since fought over the former guerrilla territory.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The attack illustrates the persistent threat from armed groups in Colombia despite the 2016 peace deal, with drone use suggesting evolving tactics.
- President de la Espriella's confrontational approach, including the cancellation of peace talks, may intensify the conflict and pose risks to civilian safety.
- The increase in bomb and explosive attacks compared to the previous year reflects a deteriorating security situation in rural areas.
Background
Colombia's 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) led to the demobilisation of more than 14,000 fighters, but smaller rebel groups have since competed for control of territory. President de la Espriella, a conservative, took office in August and shifted away from negotiation, cancelling peace talks and adopting a military-heavy strategy including airstrikes and joint task forces. His government contends that previous ceasefires allowed armed groups to entrench their power in rural regions, where they tax local businesses and are involved in the drug trade.
Key Perspectives
What to Watch
- Whether the government will officially attribute the attack to a specific group and what form a response might take.
- The possibility of further attacks on security forces and civilians as the government's military campaign continues.
- The effect of rising violence on the political climate and on any prospects for renewed dialogue.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThree soldiers were killed in a drone attack on a Colombian military base.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “A drone attack on a military base in northern Colombia has killed three soldiers”
- SupportedAt least 16 soldiers were wounded.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “killed three soldiers and wounded at least 16”
- SupportedThe armed forces said the attack happened on Saturday.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Colombian military said in a statement on Saturday that the attack hit a base in Santa Rosa del Sur”
- SupportedDe la Espriella wrote on X that those behind the attack would have nowhere to hide.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Those who were behind this attack… will have nowhere to hide,” President Abelardo de la Espriella wrote on X.”
- SupportedDe la Espriella wrote, “every attack against our soldiers strengthens our resolve to defend Colombia.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Every attack against our soldiers strengthens our resolve to defend Colombia.””
- SupportedThe base is in Santa Rosa del Sur, a town in northern Colombia and in the foothills of the San Lucas mountain range.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Colombian military said in a statement on Saturday that the attack hit a base in Santa Rosa del Sur, a small town in the foothills of the San Lucas mountain range.”
- SupportedThe area is rich in gold mines and has long been disputed by rebel groups, including the Gulf Clan, ELN and smaller groups led by former FARC members.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The area is rich in gold mines and has long been disputed by rebel armed groups including the Gulf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and smaller groups led by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).”
- SupportedAuthorities have not said who carried out the strike.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Authorities have not said who carried out the strike”
- SupportedThe attack is the latest in a series targeting security forces as violence rises across rural parts of Colombia.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “the latest in a series of attacks on security forces as violence rises across rural parts of the country.”
- SupportedViolence has risen in several rural areas since de la Espriella, a conservative, took office in August, and his approach has included air strikes, troop deployments and joint task forces.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Violence has intensified in several rural areas since de la Espriella, a conservative, took office in August. The president cancelled peace talks with rebel groups and has taken a confrontational approach, including more air strikes, deploying more troops in some cities and creating joint task forces”
- SupportedLast week, a military base in Tolima province was targeted with missiles made from gas canisters, killing four civilians, including a two-month-old baby.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Last week, a military base in Tolima province was targeted with missiles made from gas canisters. The attack killed four civilians, including a two-month-old baby.”
- SupportedACLED data showed 34 bomb or explosive attacks in the four weeks to October 16, 9% above last year’s four-week average.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “State forces and illegal armed groups carried out 34 attacks with bombs or explosives in Colombia in the four weeks to October 16, a 9 percent increase on last year’s four-week average, according to ACLED”