By Laura Gamba
BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - The Colombian government announced a drastic crackdown on drone imports Thursday following a year of aerial attacks.
The move aims to dismantle the supply chain used by guerrilla groups to weaponize commercial technology for warfare.
To eliminate security loopholes that allowed untraceable devices to flood the country, the Defense Ministry and the Tax and Customs Directorate have implemented a resolution that bans drones from entering via mail, express delivery or international couriers, and limits commercial imports to two authorized customs points -- the El Dorado Airport in Bogota and the Seaport of Cartagena.
Travelers must formally declare any drones upon arrival, and all importers must provide advance documentation to ensure full traceability.
Authorities identified that the ease of ordering drones online is a primary "gap" in national defense. By funneling legal entries through two high-security hubs, the government hopes to "neutralize the terrorist threat" and strengthen institutional control of Colombian skies.
Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez reported that criminal organizations, including the ELN and FARC dissidents, have perfected the art of rigging off-the-shelf drones with improvised explosives.
In 2025, guerrilla groups launched more than 8,000 drone-based strikes in Colombia, marking a tactical shift in the internal conflict. The attacks, which targeted military outposts and civilians, claimed 20 lives and left 297 wounded.
Sanchez emphasized that rebels are frequently deploying "kamikaze" and "bomber" drones, often modified commercial models, to bypass traditional ground defenses, creating a critical and unprecedented risk to national security.