A drone attack on a military base in northern Colombia killed at least three soldiers and wounded 16 others on Saturday, November 7, 2026, according to Colombia's army. The attack occurred at the Cantón Militar de Santa Rosa del Sur, a military installation in the southern Bolívar department in a region long contested by armed groups.
The Colombian Defense Ministry attributed the attack to the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country's oldest guerrilla organization. Videos shared on social media showed explosions and heavy smoke rising from the military facility, with visible damage to barracks, administrative buildings, and dining facilities. Eight of the wounded were reported to be in serious condition.
The attack targeted the military base during lunch hours, when troops were concentrated in the dining area. The drones were loaded with explosive devices, and the Colombian military characterized the assault as a serious violation of international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights.
"Those who were behind this attack will have nowhere to hide," President Abelardo de la Espriella said in a statement on X. "Every attack against our soldiers strengthens our resolve to defend Colombia."
The Colombian military launched air-supported operations in the region to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack. The armed forces emphasized that attacks on security forces using explosive devices constitute grave violations of human rights.
The Santa Rosa del Sur area sits in a region rich in gold mines and has long been disputed by multiple armed groups, including the Gulf Clan, the ELN, and smaller factions led by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Control of the territory is contested due to its strategic importance for illegal mining operations and drug trafficking.
President de la Espriella, who took office in August 2026, has escalated military operations against guerrilla groups and drug traffickers in rural areas of Colombia. The government has intensified air strikes in conflict zones with support from the United States as part of broader efforts to combat organized armed groups operating in the country.