The incident underscores the escalating violence in Colombia, particularly related to drug trafficking and armed groups defying peace agreements.
**Tragic Drone Attack Claims Lives of Three Soldiers in Colombia**
**Tragic Drone Attack Claims Lives of Three Soldiers in Colombia**
Colombian authorities attribute recent drone assault to rebel dissidents, highlighting the growing threat of aerial warfare in the region.
In a tragic and alarming incident, three soldiers lost their lives in a drone attack in the southwestern region of Colombia, a move attributed by authorities to a dissident rebel faction. The assault, which occurred near the Naya River, involved drones dropping explosives on members of both the navy and army who were stationed at a checkpoint. In addition to those killed, four other security personnel were hospitalized with injuries resulting from the attack.
The use of drones in conflicts has sharply risen in Colombia; in 2024 alone, a staggering 115 drone attacks were recorded, primarily executed by illegal armed groups. In response to this escalating threat, the Colombian government has initiated a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing its anti-drone capabilities, focusing on better detection and neutralization of these unmanned devices.
The recent attack was reported near Buenaventura, a coastal city synonymous with drug trafficking activities. The soldiers who perished were identified as Wilmar Rivas, Andrés Estrada, and Dario Estrada. The area is heavily influenced by dissident factions of the Farc guerrilla movement, which has notably rejected previous peace agreements established in 2016. These groups continue to operate in the region, capitalizing on the lucrative drug trade, with cocaine transport along the rivers acting as a primary revenue source.
Military officials pinpointed the responsibility for the attack on a faction led by an individual known as Iván Mordisco, who abandoned peace negotiations with the government in April 2024. His group is involved in a range of criminal enterprises, including extortion, illegal mining, and further drug trafficking, intensifying concerns about the stability of peace efforts in the region. The situation remains dire, with targeted violence against security forces contributing to a rising death toll across Colombia.
