The Colombian army reported on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, that an attack involving explosives dropped from drones followed by a clash inside a military compound killed at least three soldiers and wounded four others. The incident occurred late Friday at a military unit in the municipality of Ocaña, located in the Norte de Santander department near the Venezuelan border. Local authorities attributed the strike to the National Liberation Army (ELN), a rebel group active in Colombia since 1964.
The military identified the deceased as Capt. Marco David Pirajón Montezuma, Professional Soldier Joel Alberto Jiménez Jaramillo, and Professional Soldier Jhon Carlos Marrugo Manjarrez. According to a statement released on X, two of the soldiers died at the site, while the third died after receiving medical attention. President Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office on Aug. 7, 2026, condemned the incident and stated that for every officer or soldier murdered, the government would bring the "full weight and legitimate force of the State" against those responsible.
The Catatumbo region, where the attack took place, is a primary coca-producing area and a transit point for the border with Venezuela. The ELN and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are vying for control of this territory. This incident follows a series of recent attacks in northeastern Colombia, including an August explosion in Cucuta that injured 11 police officers and killed a police dog, and a car bomb earlier this week that killed one civilian and injured 11 others.
President De la Espriella, who joined the "Shield of the Americas" anti-cartel alliance, has stated plans to forge military alliances with the United States and Israel to strengthen his war against guerrillas.
The use of drones to drop explosives followed by ground combat highlights the security challenges in the Catatumbo area, where stability remains uncertain due to competition between armed groups. No specific dates for new military operations or legislative votes were reported following the Ocaña attack.