New analysis underscores urgent need for coordinated responses to protect civilians.
Bogotá, Colombia – 15 April 2026. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Colombia has launched a new technical paper titled “Uncrewed Aircraft Systems with Explosive Payloads: Emerging Threats and Challenges for Colombia”, highlighting the growing humanitarian risks associated with the use of weaponized drones by non-state armed groups.
Presented during an official event at the UN House in Bogotá, the publication comes amid a sharp increase in the use of such devices. According to the Ministry of Defense, 333 effective attacks involving weaponized drones were recorded in 2025, marking a 445 per cent increase from 61 incidents in 2024. This rise reflects a broader worsening of the humanitarian situation. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 1.6 million people were affected by violence and armed conflict in 2025, three times more than in 2024, alongside a sharp rise in incidents involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The paper examines the evolution of the use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) in Colombia, from surveillance purposes observed since 2018 to the deployment of explosive payloads documented since 2019. Drawing on documentary sources and interviews with key stakeholders, the analysis identifies a concentration of incidents in border regions such as Norte de Santander, Nariño and Putumayo, as well as along Colombia’s Pacific coast.
UNMAS warns that this trend is not isolated, but rather linked to broader patterns of violence, including an increase in victims of explosive devices and a rise in attacks recorded by the State. The report highlights the growing risks for civilians, particularly in urban environments, and underscores the need to adapt prevention messaging and strengthen protective measures for both communities and humanitarian personnel operating in affected areas.
“This is a rapidly evolving and complex phenomenon, with many gaps and still too few answers,” said Antonio Armentano, Country Representative of UNMAS Colombia. “Beyond physical harm, the presence of weaponized drones is generating fear and psychological distress in affected communities.”
The launch event brought together more than 70 representatives from diplomatic missions, national authorities and international organizations. It featured a presentation of the paper’s findings, followed by an inter-institutional panel discussion with Mr. Luis Antonio Gélvez, Defense Advisor and Coordinator of the Drone and Counter-Drone Group at the Ministry of Defense; Ms. Nathalia Romero, Delegate Ombudsperson for the Prevention of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Violations at the Ombudsman’s Office; Ms. Laura Certuche, Chief Security Adviser for the United Nations in Colombia (UNDSS); and Mr. Antonio Armentano, Country Representative of UNMAS Colombia.
“We cannot wait for a complete picture before acting,” added Antonio Armentano. “Maintaining strong inter-institutional dialogue is essential to identify gaps, take timely decisions and strengthen the protection of the most vulnerable.”
Panelists emphasized the importance of strengthening prevention, improving information-sharing, and advancing more comprehensive, victim-centered responses. They also highlighted ongoing efforts to address the threat. The Ombudsman’s Office underscored the need to strengthen the marking and protection of civilian objects, particularly schools and educational environments, as well as to improve the visibility of humanitarian actors in the field. The Ministry of Defense presented progress in the implementation of an anti-drone shield project, including technical field tests to identify solutions adapted to operational contexts. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) noted that it has adapted internal security protocols and is conducting field-based trainings for humanitarian personnel. Building on the findings of this analysis, UNMAS Colombia will continue to support the development of prevention messaging for at-risk communities and humanitarian actors, while accompanying local authorities in strengthening victim assistance in line with existing frameworks.
UNMAS Colombia calls for sustained collaboration among national and international partners to address the challenges posed by weaponized drones, mitigate their humanitarian impact, and enhance the protection of civilians across affected regions.
UNMAS expresses its sincere appreciation to the organizations that contributed to the development of this paper, including the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (UNDPO), the Improvised Explosive Device Threat Mitigation Advisory Team (TMAT–UNMAS), the Ministry of Defense of Colombia, the Mine Action Area of Responsibility of the Protection Cluster, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
The full paper is available in English and Spanish.
About UNMAS
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) works with affected communities and partners worldwide to eliminate explosive threats, protect civilians, enable humanitarian action, and create the conditions for sustainable peace and recovery.
