In a harrowing attack on the Naya River in southwest Colombia, three soldiers tragically lost their lives after explosive-laden drones targeted a military checkpoint. The Colombian Army confirmed that the assault, which left four other security personnel injured, was orchestrated by a dissident faction of the Farc rebel group. This incident further highlights the increasing prevalence of drone warfare in Colombia, with 115 similar attacks reported in 2024 alone—most of which are attributed to illegal armed groups.
The recent incident occurred near Buenaventura, a coastal city notorious for drug trafficking activities. The army identified the deceased soldiers as Wilmar Rivas, Andrés Estrada, and Dario Estrada. The area remains under the influence of armed factions that have rejected prior peace agreements, particularly those originating from the 2016 deal signed by the main Farc guerrilla leaders.
According to military personnel, the dissident group led by Iván Mordisco executed the attack. Mordisco previously abandoned peace negotiations in April 2024, leading his faction to intensify criminal activities, including extortion, illegal mining, and cocaine transportation through the region’s waterways.
In response to the rising threat of drone attacks, Colombian authorities are implementing enhanced anti-drone technologies aimed at detecting and neutralizing these devices to safeguard security forces effectively. This recent event illustrates the pressing need for a more robust strategy to combat the evolving tactics of armed groups in Colombia.
