Incident Summary:

08/31/2020: Assailants opened fire on soldiers eradicating illicit crops in La Pradera, Norte de Santander, Colombia. At least four soldiers were killed and another soldier was injured in the assault. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents.

GTD ID:
202008310018

When:
2020-08-31

Country:
Colombia

Region:
South America

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Norte de Santander

City:
La Pradera

Location Details:
The incident occurred in Sardinata district.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Military
Name of Entity Military Forces of Colombia
Specific Description Soldiers
Nationality of Target Colombia
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage No
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) No
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) Insurgency/Guerilla Action
Additional Information The victims include soldiers Second Corporal Helmer Mauricio Ortiz, Escar Eduardo Mendoza, Vicente Antonio Medrano, and William Felipe Melchor.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Group Sub-name Claimed Responsibility
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents 33rd Front No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 4 Fatalities / 1 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 4
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 1
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Four military killed during anti-narcotics operation in Colombia," CE Noticias Financieras English, September 1, 2020.
"Four soldiers were killed in Sardinata, North Santander," CE Noticias Financieras English, August 31, 2020.