Colombia drone attack kills two soldiers, officials say

A drone attack on a military garrison in Ocana, in Colombia's northeastern Catatumbo region, killed at least two soldiers and wounded five others on Friday, authorities said.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella blamed the National Liberation Army, or ELN, the country's largest active armed group. In a post on X, he said the state would use its force against the group for every police officer or soldier it killed.

A military source in the region told AFP that at least 20 drones carrying explosives were used.

De la Espriella's government is conducting military operations against guerrillas in Catatumbo. Colombia is facing its worst violence in a decade and remains the world's largest cocaine producer.

Since taking office, De la Espriella has increased bombings and ground operations against armed groups. Colombia has also joined Shield of the Americas, a US-backed anti-cartel alliance of Latin American countries including Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador.