Colombia sees rise in drone attacks by armed groups

Armed groups in Colombia are increasingly utilizing drones to conduct attacks, marking a shift in the nature of regional violence. In the Huila department, four drone attacks against public forces have been recorded in less than a month. One recent incident occurred in the Aipecito corregimiento, near Neiva, where explosive devices were dropped from unmanned aircraft onto troops from the 9th Brigade. The Colombian National Army identified the Ismael Ruiz Structure, part of the Isaías Pardo Central Block, as the group responsible for these criminal actions.

Nationwide, reports indicate that drone attacks by armed groups increased by 146 percent through May. The Defensoría del Pueblo has issued warnings regarding this trend, noting that such tactics pose significant risks to human rights and International Humanitarian Law. Recent incidents include an attack on an air surveillance radar in Valle del Cauca, which authorities noted could jeopardize essential aviation services, including medical flights and passenger transport.