On 22/8, Andres Julian Rendon, governor of Colombia's Antioquia province, reported that a Colombian National Police (CNP) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed after being struck by a drone. The incident occurred on 20/8 while the helicopter was supporting officers in eradicating coca plants. At least 12 people on board were killed.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused former FARC guerrillas of using the drone to attack the helicopter and of a prior car bombing of a military base. These fighters belong to a faction that rejected the 2016 peace accord between the FARC and the Colombian government, an agreement intended to end over 50 years of conflict that resulted in 450,000 deaths.
Video footage appears to show the helicopter being hit by a drone as it approached a landing zone, causing it to crash into the low mountain range. Another video, seemingly filmed by the rebels, depicts smoke rising from the crash site on the mountainside.
Military experts believe this is the first instance of a police helicopter being destroyed by a drone attack in the western hemisphere. Ukraine has used drones to attack Russian helicopters, including Mi-8 and Mi-24 models operating near the front lines.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Colombian rebels began using drones in 4/2024. Since then, the Colombian military has documented 301 drone attacks, over two-thirds of which occurred in Cauca and Norte de Santander provinces.
Cauca and Norte de Santander are key coca-growing regions, the raw material for cocaine production. Heavily armed rebel groups in the area are fighting for control of drug trafficking routes.
In June, Colombian news outlet El Tiempo reported that rebels are "using swarms of micro-drones, some equipped with thermal cameras and constantly changing control frequencies to avoid jamming." These drone attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 4 soldiers and one civilian, and injured over 57 people.
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A Colombian police UH-60 helicopter during a demonstration in Rionegro, Antioquia in 7/2023. Photo: AFP |
This attack comes amid growing US concern over the widespread use of drones by rebels and drug cartels in the region. Cartel members in Mexico are suspected of joining the International Legion of Ukraine to learn how to operate first-person view (FPV) drones, a weapon frequently used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This situation prompted General Gregory M. Guillot, in charge of US border security and counter-drone operations, to propose changes to the rules of engagement for downing these devices.
The UH-60 helicopter has a crew of 4 and can carry 11 fully equipped soldiers or 6 medical litters. The aircraft has a maximum speed exceeding 290 km/h and a range of nearly 600 km.
Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, AFP, AP)
