Colombia military drone attacks in Norte de Santander kill sergeant

A Colombian Army sergeant was killed and four soldiers were wounded following a drone attack in the El Carmen locality of the Catatumbo region, Norte de Santander. The deceased has been identified as Sergeant Second Yuver Antonio Gutiérrez Torres. The incident involved unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with explosives targeting members of the 10th Special Energy and Road Battalion.

This follows a separate attack on Thursday in the municipality of Convención, where approximately 43 explosives were launched from drones against a military base, injuring two soldiers. Authorities report that since 2025, the Norte de Santander region has experienced 46 drone attacks, resulting in the deaths of 13 civilians and numerous military personnel.

The Catatumbo region is a known operational area for the National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC dissidents, who compete for control over coca crops and drug trafficking routes. The use of explosive-laden drones has become an increasingly common tactic in the Colombian armed conflict.