Colombian government reports three killed in rebel attack on military post — SkimNews
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- ELN rebels killed three soldiers and injured four in a Friday-night drone attack on a military compound in Ocana, in the Norte de Santander department bordering Venezuela, with two soldiers killed in the clashes and a third dying after receiving medical attention
- AFP, citing an unnamed security official, reported that at least 20 drones loaded with explosives were deployed in the assault before fighting broke out inside the facility
- President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack on social media, declaring: "for every police officer or soldier you kill, I will bring down on you the full weight and legitimate force of the State"
- De la Espriella won office pledging a return to militarized confrontation with armed groups and criminal organizations, despite concerns the approach could fuel surging violence and rights abuses
- The assault took place in the Catatumbo region, the ELN's base of operations, where the government has been conducting military raids against armed groups since his inauguration
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet de la Espriella in Barranquilla next week as Colombia deepens ties with the US under the "Shield of the Americas" regional security initiative
Why it matters: A 20-drone strike on a military base — far beyond typical ELN guerrilla tactics — lands a direct challenge to de la Espriella's campaign promise of total-war confrontation, with three dead on day one of the post-inauguration offensive in Catatumbo. The upcoming Rubio meeting in Barranquilla ties Colombia's escalating internal fight into the US regional security framework.
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