In a joint action conducted by Colombian National Army and the Colombian Aerospace Force, an air-ground interception operation was executed by direct assault against the Northeastern War Front of the Organized Armed Group ELN in the village San Martín, municipality of El Tarra, Catatumbo region.
Among those killed in the framework of military operations are the so-called Droguistas, including alias Yair, the third ringleader of the structure and instructor in the use of drones and snipers, considered a key piece in the framework of technological resources of the armed group, as well as a member known as Valentina.
Alias Yair is responsible for multiple terrorist acts against the inhabitants and the Military Forces in the municipalities of Sardinata and Teorama, and in 2025 he was the one who directed acts with drones against National Army troops in the Catatumbo region.
The attack would have generated approximately ten more deaths, which could not be recovered during the consolidation phase because the military units were attacked by drones by the organized armed group; however, thanks to the rapid reaction and the implementation of protection techniques, it was possible to mitigate this threat.
In these events, five military were injured, who were evacuated in a timely manner to the city of Cúcuta, where they receive specialized medical assistance.
In the area of operations, long weapons, short weapons, about 700 cartridges of different calibers, magazines for rifles and pistols, as well as a significant number of explosive elements and more than 300 grenades adapted for launching from drones were seized.
In the same way, communication equipment including cell phones and radios were confiscated, and it was possible to destroy four bunkers and four camp areas used by this organized armed group.
This operation represents a significant blow to the organized armed group ELN, especially in the use of drones for terrorist purposes, weakening its acts against the Military Forces and the inhabitants.
Source: Strategic Communications General Command of the military forces
