Authorities in Colombia confirmed that a police Black Hawk helicopter was destroyed in a drone strike while carrying out a counternarcotics mission in the Antioquia region.
According to officials, the UH-60 Black Hawk was transporting personnel to rural areas near Amalfi to eradicate coca crops, the raw material for cocaine production.
As the helicopter hovered above a hillside during the landing operation, it was struck by an explosive-laden FPV drone.
Video released by the government showed the moment of impact, followed by an explosion that caused the aircraft to tip over and crash, leaving it completely destroyed.A second helicopter, tasked with coordinating the mission, captured footage of the assault and the crash.
Antioquia governor Andrés Julián posted on X that a drone attacked the helicopter as it flew over coca leaf fields.
Local media reported that 12 people were killed in the attack. Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez blamed dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the now-defunct leftist insurgent group.
The government has increasingly relied on Black Hawk helicopters to transport security forces into remote areas where armed groups and cartels operate. But the latest incident underscores the growing use of drones by criminal organizations and insurgent remnants in Colombia.
Colombian officials said security forces will continue their operations in Antioquia despite the attack. Authorities also emphasized that new counter-drone measures will be considered to prevent further incidents targeting military and police aviation assets.