Drone attack on Colombian army base kills 3 soldiers, army says

As of 7:40 p.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026

Drones carrying explosives struck a Colombian army base in Santa Rosa del Sur, in the southern part of Bolívar department, on Saturday, killing three soldiers, the army said.

In a statement, the army's First Division called it a "terrorist attack" carried out with unmanned aircraft fitted with explosive devices. It said "three of our uniformed personnel were killed, eight more were seriously wounded," and other members of the force were affected and being treated at several medical centers.

Injury figures rise

Later army figures put the toll at 16 seriously injured and 31 others affected, El Tiempo reported. Infobae, citing the army's latest report, said 47 soldiers were hurt, 16 of them seriously.

Two soldiers remained in intensive care at the University Hospital of Santander, which received eight of the wounded, Infobae reported.

Minister points to ELN

Defense Minister Jorge Eduardo Mora López, a retired general, said the attack "would be retaliation by the ELN for the capture of alias Carrito," Infobae reported. The ELN, or National Liberation Army, is a leftist guerrilla group. The army's statement did not name a perpetrator, and no group had publicly claimed the attack in reports reviewed by GROKsiNEWS.com.

Army vows offensive

The army commander, Maj. Gen. José Bertulfo Soto Sánchez, visited Santa Rosa on Sunday with the First Division commander and met wounded soldiers, El Tiempo and Infobae reported. "This criminal act will not intimidate the troops," Soto Sánchez said, according to Infobae.

He said offensive operations against "criminal groups" would not stop until those responsible were found. He also asked residents to share any information that could help locate them.

The army said the attack hit members of the 48th Jungle Battalion and called it a serious violation of international humanitarian law, according to Infobae.