The US Issues Alert Over Risk of ELN Drone Attacks in Northern Colombia
A few days before the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, arrives in Barranquilla, also known as the capital of the Caribbean, in northern Colombia, the Department of State itself issued a security alert due to the elevated risk of new attacks by illegal armed groups, especially the ELN, in the department of Cesar, a little over 230 kilometers south of the city Rubio will visit.
The United States Embassy in Colombia, upon issuing the alert, also warned that the ELN is an organization designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The warning points out that during 2026 several attacks have been recorded using drones loaded with explosives, targeted mainly against police substations, military installations, and public force positions.
Some of these events, the diplomatic mission added in a statement, have been concentrated in municipalities and sectors of southern Cesar.
Risk of attacks by illegal armed groups: recommendations for US citizens
The Department of State mentions episodes such as the one that occurred last July at the police substation of El Burro, in the municipality of Pailitas, where five uniformed officers were injured by an attack.
Later, in August, an incursion was recorded in the sectors of Curumani and San Roque, which left one police officer dead. At the end of that same month, new drone attacks were reported in the south of the department, which caused injuries to several soldiers.
US diplomacy recommends that its citizens remain vigilant of their surroundings, especially in the vicinity of police stations, government buildings, military installations, and main roads, where security incidents could occur.
It also advises avoiding any confrontation with armed persons and maintaining a low profile to reduce exposure to possible threats. At the same time, it asks to avoid crowds, demonstrations, and other places where public order disruptions may occur.
Another recommendation for US citizens is to stay informed through local media outlets and regularly check security-related updates.
As an additional preventive measure, it advises reviewing personal emergency plans and ensuring that cell phones remain charged to facilitate communications in case of an eventuality.
The Department of State Travel Alert also suggests not traveling to Arauca, Cauca (except Popayan), Valle del Cauca (except Cali), and Norte de Santander, due to risks associated with crime and terrorism.
In addition, it advises against traveling to areas located less than 10 kilometers from the border between Colombia and Venezuela, due to the presence of crime, kidnappings, and clashes between armed groups.
Government of Colombia announced anti-drone plan
The Department of State security alert comes almost simultaneously with the neutralization, this Friday in La Guajira, also in northern Colombia, of alias ‘Bendito Menor’, leader of the criminal gang Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ASCN), better known as ‘Los Pachenca’.
The US warning became known a few days after the Colombian government announced a security shock plan for Cesar, following an extraordinary security council on August 28 in which the Government of Abelardo de la Espriella reported that it would deploy anti-drone protection systems in the municipalities of El Copey, Curumani, La Jagua de Ibirico, and Pelaya.
It also assured that it would extend this defensive scheme to Valledupar, the capital of Cesar. The measure was announced as a response to recent drone attacks and harassment attributed to illegal armed groups.
The Government also ordered the reinforcement of security for the oil pipeline and strategic infrastructure in the region, with the purpose of preventing criminal organizations from obtaining resources through the illegal exploitation of minerals and hydrocarbons.