Colombian Army Helicopter Crashes in Northern Colombia, Killing 9 Soldiers

An army helicopter carrying supplies crashed in a rural area in northern Colombia on Monday, killing all nine soldiers on board.

The helicopter was taking supplies to troops in the municipality of Santa Rosa del Sur, an area that has recently experienced fighting between the National Liberation Army guerrilla group and the Gulf Clan drug trafficking group.

The military described the crash as an accident. "The helicopter was transporting supplies to troops stationed in the region," the Colombian military confirmed in a statement. The Russian-built MI-17 chopper, often used to carry troops and supplies, lost communication with the base and was later found to have crashed near the municipality of Santa Rosa, Bolivar Department.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed regret over the deaths of the nine passengers, which included two officers, two sergeants, and three privates. "The helicopter was supplying troops conducting operations against the Gulf Clan," Petro stated. None of the passengers on the helicopter survived the crash.

Why this matters: The crash highlights the ongoing conflict and security challenges in northern Colombia, where armed guerrilla groups and drug trafficking organizations continue to operate. The incident also raises concerns about the safety and maintenance of the Colombian military's helicopter fleet, as they face issues with their Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters due to Western sanctions on Russia.

The Gulf Clan is one of the most powerful criminal syndicates in Colombia, with around 6,000 armed men involved in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, mining, and extortion. The cartel's former leader, Dairo Antonio Usuga, was sentenced to 45 years in prison in the U.S. last year. The Colombian military stated that the cause of the crash is unknown, and they did not indicate any suspicion of foul play. The government has pledged support to the families of the soldiers killed in the crash and vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Key Takeaways

• Army helicopter crashed in rural Colombia, killing all 9 soldiers on board.
• Helicopter was transporting supplies to troops fighting the Gulf Clan drug group.
• Crash was an accident, but raises concerns about military's Russian-made helicopters.
• Gulf Clan is a powerful criminal syndicate involved in drug trafficking and other crimes.
• Government pledged support for victims' families and vowed to investigate the crash.