Colombia has dispatched 500 troops to its northeastern border after a drone attack by the ELN guerrilla group killed seven soldiers and wounded at least 30 others. The assault occurred on Thursday night at a rural military outpost in Aguachica, near Venezuela.
The ELN, inspired by the Cuban revolution and founded in 1964, is the oldest surviving guerrilla group in the Americas. It controls key drug-producing regions and has expanded into neighbouring Venezuela, where it is present in eight of the country’s 24 states.
Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the attack, calling it a 'terrorist action' on social media. Videos circulating online showed wounded soldiers being treated at a local medical centre, with fires reportedly caused by explosions at the base.
The incident follows the killing of two police officers in Cali on Tuesday, marking the second deadly clash with security forces within a week. Peace negotiations between the government and the ELN have repeatedly stalled, and US sanctions were imposed on President Gustavo Petro in October over alleged reluctance to target cocaine-trafficking factions.
Colombia is the world’s top cocaine producer, and the ELN is deeply involved in the drug trade. The group vowed last week to resist US 'threats of imperialist intervention' in defence of Colombia.
