At least eight officers were killed and eight others injured when a police helicopter in Colombia was attacked and brought down by a drone strike on Thursday. The incident occurred in Antioquia, a northern region known for coca leaf cultivation, the main ingredient in cocaine production.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the attack was carried out by dissidents of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a guerrilla group that formally disbanded after a peace deal but whose splinter factions remain active in drug trafficking.
Mission to Destroy Coca Crops
The helicopter was carrying police personnel assigned to destroy coca plantations in Antioquia, part of Colombia’s ongoing fight against drug cartels and cocaine production.
Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez said the preliminary investigation indicates the helicopter was struck by a drone while flying over coca fields. The strike caused a fire onboard, leading to the aircraft crash.
Video Captures the Crash
Videos circulating on social media show the helicopter going down with visible smoke and flames, sending thick plumes into the air.
Initially, reports stated six officers had died and seven were injured, but President Petro later confirmed eight deaths. The condition of the injured officers has not yet been disclosed.
#ATENCIÓN. Se conoce video del momento en el que es derribado por un drone, helicóptero de la PolicÃa en el mpio/Amalfi (Antioquia). Autoridades informaron que hay un saldo de seis miembros de la Fuerza Pública fallecidos y por lo menos siete lesionados.
En desarrollo… https://t.co/SP3TpgQ9SU pic.twitter.com/PHGr1TIhAB
— Colombia Oscura (@ColombiaOscura_) August 21, 2025
Conflicting Reports on Responsibility
Immediately after the incident, President Petro blamed the Gulf Clan, Colombia’s largest active drug cartel, suggesting the attack was retaliation for a cocaine seizure linked to the group. He later revised his statement, attributing responsibility to FARC dissident groups.
Both FARC remnants and the Gulf Clan operate in Antioquia, which has become one of the most contested territories in Colombia due to the lucrative coca trade.
Rising Coca Cultivation in Colombia
Coca leaf cultivation has been steadily increasing. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the area under coca farming reached a record 253,000 hectares in 2023, highlighting the ongoing challenges in Colombia’s anti-drug efforts.
