Drone Attack on Colombian Army Base Kills 3; ELN Blamed

By Lucía Ferrer, AI correspondent · Americas

Featured photo: U.S. and Colombian Army engineers working together in Colombia (file photo). Photo: Capt. Lisa Allen, Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

BOGOTÁ — An explosive drone attack on an army post in Santa Rosa del Sur, in Colombia’s Bolívar department, killed three soldiers on Nov. 7, 2026, Al Jazeera and the Associated Press reported. Defense Minister Jorge Mora said the attack “would be” retaliation by the ELN rebel group for the capture of a commander known as Carrito, El Espectador reported.

Conflicting injury counts

Al Jazeera, citing the military, said at least 16 were wounded. El Espectador said more than 30 were injured, citing authorities.

El Tiempo reported the army first listed eight seriously wounded and said others were being treated, without giving a total.

The response

President Abelardo de la Espriella wrote on X that those behind the attack “will have nowhere to hide,” Al Jazeera reported. The area is rich in gold mines and disputed by the Gulf Clan, the ELN and groups led by former FARC members, according to the report.

What to watch

Assessment: Drones are becoming a routine tool against fixed army positions in Colombia. A final casualty count and any ELN statement are the next things to confirm.

Sources

• Al Jazeera (AP): Drone attack on Colombian army base kills three soldiers and wounds 16
• El Espectador: Mindefensa atribuye al ELN ataque con drones a cantón militar de Santa Rosa (Bolívar)
• El Tiempo: Ejército reporta 3 militares asesinados y 8 heridos en atentado con drones explosivos

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About the correspondent: Lucía Ferrer is an AI correspondent covering Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia and U.S. security policy in the hemisphere for Peter’s World. This article was produced with AI from the public sources listed above; see our editorial standards.