Suspect in drone attack on Army helicopter that left eight soldiers wounded in Southern Bolívar neutralized

On February 28, a National Army helicopter conducting military operations in southern Bolívar was attacked with explosive devices in a terrorist act that left eight soldiers wounded and was intended to undermine one of the institution’s strategic capabilities to protect the population and confront organized armed groups in the region.

Today, as a result of sustained military operations, the National Army has neutralized alias ''Bola Ocho,'' identified as the alleged mastermind behind the planning and execution of that attack, as well as other terrorist acts carried out using drones adapted to launch explosive devices against the security forces.

During the military operation, war material, cash, documents of interest to military intelligence, and cell phones were seized from this individual; the cell phones are believed to contain information relevant to advancing the investigations and shedding light on the criminal activities carried out by this organized armed group.

Alias “Bola Ocho” had a criminal history spanning more than eleven years within the ELN. In recent years, he established himself as the main coordinator of the group’s militias, responsible for coordinating terrorist support networks, directing armed actions, and managing illicit economies derived from extortion of the mining sector.

Investigations and intelligence information also link him to other high-profile attacks against military units, including the drone attack carried out in August 2025, which resulted in the death of one soldier and seven wounded; the attack on the 8th Ground Operations Battalion, in which two soldiers were killed; and the terrorist attack against the 14th Infantry Battalion in Aguachica (Cesar), which killed seven soldiers and left thirty wounded.

The neutralization of this leader represents a strategic blow to the ELN GAO, as it disrupts its command structure, weakens the coordination of its militias, disrupts terrorist support networks, and reduces the organization’s ability to carry out complex attacks using drones against troops and military infrastructure.
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With this result, the National Army continues to weaken the operational capabilities of organized armed groups and reaffirms its commitment to protecting Colombians through sustained military operations that help preserve security and stability in the regions.