Drone attacks carried out by armed groups in Colombia increased by 146 percent during the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to the country’s Ombudsman’s Office.
The attacks reportedly killed 21 people and injured 145 others, including children. Civilians accounted for nearly one-third of those killed or wounded, the office said.
Colombia’s Ombudsman, Iris Marin, warned that the attacks are spreading fear among communities in conflict-affected areas, with the repeated sound of drones causing widespread anxiety beyond the immediate areas targeted.
The attacks have reportedly damaged homes, schools, petrol stations and other infrastructure, while fear of drone strikes has contributed to displacement and restricted movement in some communities.
Residents have also faced difficulties accessing healthcare, working on farms and carrying out their daily activities.
Armed groups in Colombia increasingly use improvised drones fitted with explosives to attack rival factions and government forces. The drones are also used for surveillance, including monitoring illegal coca-growing areas.
Human Rights Watch recently reported that children were being trained in drone warfare and alleged that armed groups were recruiting minors through social media platforms.
The Colombian government announced a $1.68 billion project in January to develop an anti-drone defence system as authorities seek to counter the growing threat.
Government forces have also begun using drones in military operations against armed groups, including grenade-launching drones, according to military sources cited by AFP.
The Ombudsman’s Office said the growing use of drones has also restricted humanitarian access and complicated efforts to support displaced communities returning to affected areas.
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