On January 28, 2026, a small plane went down in northeastern Colombia, leading to the deaths of all 15 individuals onboard. Among the deceased was a congressman known for his human rights advocacy in the tumultuous border area with Venezuela.
The SEARCA-operated airplane, serving Satena, a state-run airline, lifted off at 11:42 a.m. local time from the airport in Cúcuta, capital of Norte de Santander province. It was headed for Ocaña, a municipality nestled among mountains, a journey normally lasting around 40 minutes.
Satena’s official statement reported that the last communication between the aircraft and air traffic control happened shortly after it took off. Following the crash, residents in Curasica alerted authorities, leading to the dispatch of a rescue team.
Colombia’s Transportation Ministry later confirmed that upon reaching the crash site, authorities tragically found no survivors.
The Beechcraft 1900, bearing the registration number HK4709, was carrying two crew members and 13 passengers when it crashed in a mountainous rural location. Among those killed were Diógenes Quintero, a 36-year-old House of Representatives member from the Catatumbo region, Carlos Salcedo, a social leader set to run in the upcoming March congressional elections, and Natalia Acosta, a member of Quintero’s team.
Officials are yet to provide a cause for the crash but assured that an investigation would be carried out. Notably, the aircraft’s emergency beacon was not activated, which further deepens the mystery of the crash in the rugged terrain near the Venezuelan border.
Quintero was known for his human rights work in the volatile Catatumbo region, his birthplace and the site of the crash. A lawyer by profession, he was elected in 2022 as one of the 16 lower chamber representatives serving the nine million victims of Colombia’s extended armed conflict.
These unique positions were established under a groundbreaking 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the country’s largest guerrilla group, the FARC. The agreement set up these specific congressional seats to represent communities that suffered excessively during the conflict. The creation of these seats indicates a historic commitment to victims’ rights and political participation in Colombia’s democratic process.
The Catatumbo region, where Quintero served, is among Colombia’s most challenging areas. It’s located in a mountainous zone near the Venezuelan border and is a hotspot for coca leaf cultivation, the primary ingredient for cocaine production. The region remains contested by illegal armed groups, including the National Liberation Army and dissident factions that rejected the 2016 peace agreement. Human rights defenders in such areas are constantly threatened by various armed factions striving for territorial control.
The U Party, Quintero’s political group, expressed their sorrow over his death, describing him as “a leader committed to his region.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his grief over the incident on social media, stating: “I am deeply saddened by these deaths. My heartfelt condolences to their families. May they rest in peace.” Vice President Francia Marquez also offered condolences to the bereaved families.
The location of the crash site in a mountainous rural area posed challenges for rescue efforts and the initial investigation. The terrain in Norte de Santander province is particularly demanding, with steep mountains and limited road access making it hard for emergency responders to quickly reach remote crash sites. This type of geographical challenge is common in Colombia’s Andean regions, where small aircraft provide essential transportation links between communities lacking sufficient road infrastructure.
Small aircraft like the Beechcraft 1900 play a crucial role in Colombia’s transportation network, connecting remote regions with major cities. These planes serve areas where road journeys can be lengthy or impossible during specific seasons due to weather or security issues.
Satena, the state-owned airline operating the ill-fated flight, has a long history of serving Colombia’s remote regions, including areas with limited commercial aviation options. The carrier specializes in routes to smaller municipalities and regions where private airlines find it unprofitable to operate, making it a lifeline for communities in Colombia’s extensive rural areas.
The death of Salcedo, a congressional candidate, comes just weeks before Colombia’s congressional elections scheduled for March. His death, along with Quintero’s, signifies a significant loss to political representation in a region that has historically grappled with violence and limited access to government services.
Aviation safety investigators will now examine the wreckage to determine the cause of the aircraft’s sudden loss of contact with air traffic control. The non-activation of the emergency beacon suggests the incident may have occurred abruptly, leaving no time for the crew to signal distress. Weather conditions, mechanical failure, and pilot error will all be considered as potential factors in the investigation.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by human rights defenders and political representatives in Colombia’s most vulnerable regions, where leaders like Quintero’s work remains crucial despite the constant threats.