No injuries were reported in an incident when a helicopter flew over the country’s Catatumbo region to Cucuta.
Colombian President Ivan Duque said on Friday that a helicopter he was in was hit by several bullets as he flew through the country’s Catatumbo region to the city of Cucuta, the capital of the northern province of Santander.
In addition to Duque, the helicopter was carrying other officials, including Defense Minister Diego Molano, Interior Minister Daniel Palacios, and Norte de Santander Governor Silvano Serrano.
“It’s a cowardly attack, where bullet holes can be seen in the presidential plane,” the president said in a statement.
No one was injured in the incident, a presidential spokesman said.
Photos posted by the president’s office showed the tail and the main blade had been hit.
Duke said the plane’s “security features” prevented a “lethal” attack.
Security personnel have been given clear instructions to find those behind the helicopter attack, the president added.
“Once again we reiterate it as a government [we won’t give up]… in the fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime operating in the country, “Duque said.”[They won’t] intimidate us with violence or acts of terror. Our state is strong and Colombia is strong to face these threats. “
🎥 #EnVivo | Statement by the President @IvanDuque from Cúcuta, North of Santander. https://t.co/2SW5AuXfxT
– Presidency Colombia 🇨🇴 (@infopresidencia) June 25, 2021
Translation: Statement by President Ivan Duque de Cutuca, north of Santander.
The troubled region of Catatumbo, on Colombia’s border with Venezuela, is home to extensive coca crops, the main ingredient in cocaine.
This is where the fighters of the National Liberation Army (ELN) – former FARC fighters who reject a 2016 peace agreement with the government – operate together with armed criminal groups involved in drug trafficking.
This month, a car bomb was detonated to a military base used by the 30th Army Brigade in Cucuta, wounding Colombian troops and American military advisers.
Although Defense Minister Molano said the attack could have been carried out by the ELN, the rebel group denied having any role in the bombing.
Since Duque came to power, Colombia has suffered its worst outbreak of violence since the peace deal with the FARC.