A Colombian army helicopter crashed on Monday afternoon, April 29 in a rural area in northern Colombia, killing all nine soldiers on board.
The MI-17 helicopter, Russian-built and frequently used to carry troops and supplies, was en route to the municipality of Santa Rosa del Sur, where Colombian troops have been recently engaged in fighting between the National Liberation Army guerrilla group and the drug-trafficking Gulf Clan, according to the Colombian armed forces.
According to the military’s statement, the crash occurred around 1:50 p.m. The victims included two officers, two sergeants, and three privates. The identities of the victims were not immediately disclosed.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his condolences on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “I regret the death of the nine passengers on board the army’s helicopter. It was supplying troops that were conducting operations against the Gulf Clan.”
While the MI-17 helicopter is frequently used by the military, crashes are not uncommon. Several military personnel have lost their lives in similar incidents this year.
The Gulf Clan is considered one of Colombia’s most dangerous criminal syndicates, with roughly 6,000 members. The group is heavily involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining, and other illicit activities, notorious for its violent history of murders and forced dispossessions.
Dairo Antonio Usuga, also known as Otoniel, its former leader, was sentenced to 45 years in prison in the U.S. in 2023.
The loss of these nine soldiers is a significant blow to Colombia’s ongoing efforts to maintain security in the region and counter the activities of illegal armed groups. The government has vowed to continue its operations against the Gulf Clan and other criminal organizations, despite the setback.