MADRID, 22 (EUROPA PRESS)
The death toll from the downing of a helicopter carrying police officers by a drone in Amalfi, in the department of Antioquia, northwestern Colombia, on Thursday has risen to at least 12 dead and 13 injured, local authorities said.
The group of deceased includes a captain, a second lieutenant, a second superintendent, and nine patrol officers, according to information from the Antioquia Governor's Office after their identification, reported by W Radio.
The agents were participating in a personnel transfer mission to assist in the eradication of coca leaf crops when they were hit by the drone, which the country's president, Gustavo Petro, attributed to the 36th Front of the Central General Staff (EMC).
The region's governor, Andrés Julián, has also linked the attack to FARC dissidents and, in particular, to a group led by Alexander Díaz Mendoza, alias "Calarcá Córdoba," whom he believes is being treated like a "little angel" by Petro despite his criminal activities.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, however, blamed the downing on the Gulf Clan, which "is nothing more than a drug trafficking and terror cartel." "As such, it will be confronted with the full force of the State," he promised in his initial response.
For his part, Police Director Carlos Fernando Triana Beltrán lamented the "terrorist action" against the helicopter and promised that security forces will continue to combat "these criminals who are today bringing mourning to an entire country." Both the Armed Forces and the Police have sent troops to the area.
