Drone strike and clash at Ocaña base kill at least three soldiers, four wounded

Explosives dropped from drones followed by a clash inside a military compound in Ocaña, Norte de Santander, late on Friday killed at least three soldiers and wounded four, Colombia’s army said on Saturday.

Local authorities blamed the attack on the National Liberation Army (ELN). The military said two soldiers died at the site and a third after receiving medical attention; four others were wounded.

President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the strike and said authorities would apply the full and legitimate force of the state against those responsible.

ELN has been active since 1964 and maintains a significant presence in the Catatumbo region, which covers parts of Norte de Santander and Cesar. ELN also harbours dissident factions of the former FARC that did not join the peace agreement a decade ago.

The Catatumbo area connects to the porous border with Venezuela and is one of Colombia’s main coca-producing regions. In August, an explosion outside a police station in Cúcuta injured 11 police officers and killed a police dog; officials blamed ELN. Earlier this week, a car bomb outside a police station in north-eastern Colombia killed at least one civilian and injured 11 others.