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In the first five months of 2026, drone attacks in Colombia increased by 146% compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Ombudsman’s Office. These attacks resulted in 21 deaths and 145 injuries, including many civilians. The rising use of drones has not only caused direct harm but also instilled fear among communities, affecting daily life and hindering humanitarian efforts. Iris Marin, Colombia's Ombudsman, highlighted that armed groups are using both offensive and surveillance drones to target rivals and state forces, often recruiting children for these operations through social media platforms.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In early 2026, drone attacks by armed groups in Colombia surged by 146 percent compared to the same period in 2025, according to the country’s Ombudsman's Office. The attacks killed 21 people and wounded 145 others, including children, with nearly a third of casualties being civilians. Iris Marin, the ombudsman, warned that these drone strikes instill fear beyond just immediate victims, terrorizing communities affected by conflict due to recurring buzzes in the air.
Drones are becoming a significant part of the escalating war between armed groups and government forces, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire. Targets have included homes, educational institutions, petrol stations, and critical infrastructure. The constant threat has caused fear leading to internal displacements and restricting daily activities like working fields or accessing health centers.
Written for “Colombian Armed Groups Drone Attacks” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
-
Civilians accounted for nearly a third of those killed or wounded, the office said on Thursday.
left attributes blame to conflict between armed groups and government forces
-
Drones are part of the escalating war between armed groups and government forces, leaving civilians caught in between.
left frames civilian harm as a result of military escalation by both sides
-
The Ombudsman said the attacks have “restricted access for humanitarian missions and hindered processes of return and permanence in the territories”.
left emphasizes impact on civilian life and humanitarian efforts due to conflict
Leaning score -0.35 for article 17758 (medium confidence, 3 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-18
Drone 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.
uncertain
attacks → surge → Office
The attacks killed 21 people and wounded 145 others, including children.
asserted
attacks → kill → children
Civilians accounted for nearly a third of those killed or wounded, the office said on Thursday.
asserted
office → account → Thursday
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Ombudsman Iris Marin warned that the drones inflict fear well beyond the immediate casualties, with their recurring buzz terrorising communities in conflict-affected areas.
asserted
buzz → join → areas
Drones are part of the escalating war between armed groups and government forces, leaving civilians caught in between.
asserted
Drones → escalate → civilians
Homes, educational institutions, petrol stations and infrastructure were also hit.
asserted
Homes → hit → ?
Marin said that in some territories, fear of overflights and attacks has also triggered displacements, restrictions on mobility, and difficulties in working the fields, accessing health centres or carrying out daily activities.
asserted
fear → say → activities
It is common in the country for armed groups to demonstrate their strength using lethal, makeshift drones rigged with explosives.
asserted
groups → demonstrate → explosives
The Ombudsman said the attacks have “restricted access for humanitarian missions and hindered processes of return and permanence in the territories”.
asserted
attacks → say → territories
Analysts have said armed groups use the aerial devices for two main purposes: attacks and surveillance.
asserted
groups → say → purposes
They target and launch attacks on rival groups as well as state forces, and survey illegal coca fields.
asserted
They → target → fields
Last month, a Human Rights Watch report said children are being trained in drone warfare.
asserted
children → say → warfare
The watchdog also said that armed groups are recruiting children through social media platforms like Meta and TikTok.
asserted
groups → say → Meta
Drones are used by both sides
The flight of unmanned aircraft over Colombia’s rugged terrain makes neutralising them difficult.
asserted
neutralising → use → them
In January 2026, the Colombian government announced a $1.68bn project to develop an anti-drone shield.
asserted
government → announce → shield
Colombia’s right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, governs from a military stronghold in Barranquilla and is waging a frontal offensive against armed groups with support from the United States.
asserted
president → govern → States
Recent operations by Colombian troops have utilised US-made drones, a military source told AFP.
asserted
source → utilise → AFP
In recent months, Colombian military forces have also used grenade-launching drones to counter armed fighters.
asserted
forces → use → fighters
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