Bogotá: At least three civilians were killed after a suspected drone attack in rural Colombia, as illegal armed groups continue to escalate violence in conflict-affected regions, authorities confirmed on Friday.
According to local officials, the attack took place in a remote area where security forces have been engaged in ongoing operations against dissident factions and criminal networks. The explosive device, reportedly carried by an unmanned aerial vehicle, detonated near a civilian settlement, killing three people and injuring several others. The identities of the victims have not yet been officially released.
Colombian police and military units have launched an investigation to determine which group was responsible. Initial reports suggest the involvement of dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which rejected the 2016 peace agreement and continue to operate in certain regions. Authorities have also not ruled out the role of the National Liberation Army (ELN), another active insurgent group in the country.
The use of drones by illegal armed groups marks a worrying shift in tactics. Security analysts say such methods allow militant factions to strike from a distance while minimising direct confrontation with state forces. In recent months, Colombian authorities have reported a rise in the use of improvised explosive devices and aerial attacks in rural provinces where armed groups are fighting for territorial control linked to drug trafficking routes and illegal mining.
President Gustavo Petro’s administration has been pursuing a policy of “total peace,” aiming to negotiate ceasefires with various armed groups. However, recent violence highlights the fragile security situation in several departments, particularly in border and jungle regions.
Human rights organisations have expressed concern over the growing risk to civilians caught in the crossfire. They have urged both the government and armed groups to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of non-combatants.
As security forces intensify operations in response to the latest attack, residents in affected communities remain on edge, fearing further violence amid an increasingly volatile conflict landscape.
