BOGOTÁ, Colombia: A Colombia drone attack killed at least three soldiers and wounded four after explosives struck a military compound in northeastern Colombia, the army said Saturday.
The assault occurred late Friday in Ocaña, Norte de Santander, near the Venezuelan border. Local authorities blamed the National Liberation Army, or ELN, for the attack.
The military said attackers dropped explosives from drones before an armed clash broke out inside the compound. Two soldiers died at the scene, while a third died after receiving medical treatment.
The army identified those killed as Captain Marco David Pirajón Montezuma and soldiers Joel Alberto Jiménez Jaramillo and Jhon Carlos Marrugo Manjarrez.
Read: Colombia Records Highest Cocaine Production in 2023, UN Reports
President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack and vowed a forceful state response against those responsible. He took office on August 7 after winning a close runoff election in June.
The ELN has operated since 1964 and maintains a strong presence in the Catatumbo region. The area borders Venezuela and includes one of Colombia’s main coca-producing zones.
Read: After criticism, White House says Trump condemns KKK, neo-Nazis
Authorities have blamed the group for other recent violence in northeastern Colombia. An August explosion outside a police station in Cúcuta injured 11 officers, while another car bombing this week killed one civilian and injured 11 people.
