7 Colombian soldiers killed in attack on military base

BOGOTA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least seven Colombian soldiers were killed and 30 wounded after a guerrilla group on Thursday attacked a military base in the country's northeastern city of Aguachica, the national army said Friday.

In this "terrorist act," the National Liberation Army (ELN) used drones equipped with explosives, violating human rights and international humanitarian law by putting populations at extreme risk, it said.

"It happened due to a lack of advanced anti-drone systems," Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on the social platform X, adding that the immediate purchase of the systems is ordered to block such attacks by illegal armed groups.

Francisco Cubides, general commander of the military forces, said that intelligence and operational actions will be reinforced to counter the ELN's terrorist activities. ■