Drone Attack on Colombian Military Compound Kills 3 Soldiers – SOFX
At least three Colombian soldiers were killed and four others wounded after an armed group attacked a military compound in northeastern Colombia, authorities said Saturday.
The attack occurred late Friday in the municipality of Ocaña, in the Norte de Santander department near the Venezuelan border. Colombia’s military blamed the attack on the National Liberation Army, or ELN, saying the group used drones to drop explosives before fighting broke out inside the military facility.
AFP, citing an unnamed security official, reported that at least 20 drones loaded with explosives were used in the attack.
Two soldiers were killed at the scene and a third died after receiving medical attention, according to the military.
The military later identified the dead as Capt. Marco David Pirajón Montezuma, Professional Soldier Joel Alberto Jiménez Jaramillo and Professional Soldier Jhon Carlos Marrugo Manjarrez.
President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack and vowed a forceful response against the ELN.
Hablé con los familiares de nuestros tres militares asesinados por el narcoterrorismo: el capitán Marco David Pirajón Montezuma y los soldados profesionales Joel Alberto Jiménez Jaramillo y Jhon Carlos Marrugo Manjarrez.
Fueron asesinados tras el cobarde ataque del ELN contra el… pic.twitter.com/8tizR0wzt5
— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) September 6, 2026
“Their deaths will not go unpunished,” de la Espriella said. “We will find those responsible and bring down upon them the full weight of the legitimate force of the State and the laws of the Republic.”
The ELN, an armed group that has operated in Colombia since 1964, is among several armed organizations active in the region. Dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, that rejected the 2016 peace agreement also operate in the area.
The latest attack comes amid a renewed security crackdown under De la Espriella, who took office Aug. 7 after campaigning on a pledge to confront armed groups and criminal organizations through increased military operations.
In August, an explosion outside a police station in Cucuta injured 11 police officers and killed a police dog. Authorities also blamed the ELN for that attack.
Earlier this week, a car bomb exploded outside another police station in northeastern Colombia, killing at least one civilian and injuring 11 others.
Noche de terror: criminales detonaron carro bomba en la estación de Policía de Los Patios en el área metropolitana de Cúcuta. Hay lesionados. pic.twitter.com/o4Dj2Xyp6X
— Vicky Dávila (@VickyDavilaH) September 1, 2026