Drone attacks by Colombian armed groups more than double in early 2026

Civilians are caught in the crossfire of drone attacks between armed groups and government forces.Published On 18 Sep 202618 Sep 2026Drone attacks by armed groups in Colombia surged 146 percent in the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2025, according to the country’s Ombudsman’s Office.The attacks killed 21 people and wounded 145 others, including children. Civilians accounted for nearly a third of those killed or wounded, the office said on Thursday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Peru joins US-led ‘Shield of the Americas’ security alliancelist 2 of 3‘Handcuffed and blindfolded’: Is the US targeting Ecuadorian fishermen?list 3 of 3US removes Venezuela from drug list, Trump saysend of listOmbudsman Iris Marin warned that the drones inflict fear well beyond the immediate casualties, with their recurring buzz terrorising communities in conflict-affected areas.Drones are part of the escalating war between armed groups and government forces, leaving civilians caught in between.Homes, educational institutions, petrol stations and infrastructure were also hit.Marin said that in some territories, fear of overflights and attacks has also triggere...