Colombia's Defense Ministry proposes comprehensive drone regulation bill

Colombia's defence minister presented a draft law to Congress aimed at regulating the import, manufacture, commercialisation, registration, use, transport, surveillance and control of drones and anti‑drone systems. The proposal follows reports that about 320 people – both military personnel and civilians – have been victims of attacks with commercial drones over the past two years, with the highest impact in the departments of Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Chocó, Nariño and Norte de Santander. According to the minister, roughly 88 % of the attacks are linked to the criminal group known as “Mordisco” and 12 % to the ELN guerrilla. The bill seeks to balance security concerns with legitimate commercial uses, coordinating with the Transport Ministry and the Civil Aeronautics Authority, and to establish a clear legal framework for civilian drone operations and the exceptional use of anti‑drone systems.