Drone attack injures four police, cuts power in Arenal, Bolívar

On the night of 10 July 2026, explosives‑loaded drones struck the police station in the municipality of Arenal, Bolívar Department, Colombia, destroying the building and leaving four police officers injured, one seriously. Governor Yamil Arana blamed the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (ELN), stating, “The police station in Arenal was the target of a drone attack, presumably by the ELN,” and urged urgent military action in the region. The blast also knocked out electricity for the community, heightening local anxiety. Mayor Ramón Zayas condemned the attack and called for reinforced security measures.

The incident revives concerns about the increasing use of drone technology by armed groups in Colombia’s internal conflict and adds pressure on authorities to respond to escalating violence in the south of Bolívar.