Troops of the Segunda División of the Ejército Nacional, supported by the Fuerza Aérea and in coordination with the Policía Nacional, located a clandestine depot containing 100 high-power drone granades in the vereda Corinto of the municipality of Sardinata, Norte de Santander. Disclosed on October 4, 2026, the arsenal weighed approximately one ton of explosives and was allegedly held by the Frente Juan Fernando Porras Martínez of the ELN criminal group. The operation was a joint effort that also involved the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana and the Policía Nacional.
Military Operation in Sardinata Uncovers Ton of Explosives
Intelligence military operations led security forces to the underground stash in the Catatumbo region. These maneuvers involved coordinated intelligence and registration efforts between the Policía Nacional, Ejército Nacional, Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana, and the Fiscalía General de la Nación. According to the comandante of the Segunda División, brigadier general César Martínez Páez, the recovered items included 100 high-power granades, with each individual explosive weighing approximately 10 kilograms. Authorities stated that the materials were intended to be adapted for launch via unmanned aircraft and artisanal ramps. The security institutions reported that the Frente Juan Fernando Porras Martínez used the site for strategic storage and to supply destructive elements to other cells operating in the area.
The entire arsenal was destroyed in a controlled detonation at the location, following established safety protocols and security conditions.
Did You Know? The clandestine depot discovered by military forces in the vereda Corinto contained exactly 100 high-power granades, each weighing approximately 10 kilograms, totaling close to one ton of explosive material.
Security Implications for Norte de Santander
The destruction of the explosive cache directly targets the operational capacity of the Frente Juan Fernando Porras Martínez. Comandante del Ejército Nacional, mayor general José Bertulfo Soto Sánchez, described the mission as an uncompromising campaign against terrorism in Norte de Santander. He called it an implacable operation against terrorism
and stated that troops do not give a truce and dealt a decisive blow to the criminal intentions of the ELN in Norte de Santander
. He further noted the mission was a high-precision joint operation that stopped the terrorist plans of the criminal group. The dismantling of the depot prevents potential attacks directed against the Fuerza Pública, the civilian population, and regional infrastructure.
Authorities have urged residents to assist security efforts by reporting suspicious activities through the Línea 107 contra el terrorismo, assuring callers of confidentiality. Following the seizure, the Fuerza Pública specifically called on the community to provide information to help anticipate terrorist events.
By intercepting these supplies before deployment, security forces neutralize immediate threats to both civilian centers and military infrastructure in the region.
Authorities destroy recovered ELN explosives in Sardinata
Where was the clandestine weapons depot located?
The depot was located in the vereda Corinto, within the municipality of Sardinata in the Norte de Santander department.
Which armed group was linked to the recovered explosives?
Authorities attributed the arsenal of 100 granades to the Frente Juan Fernando Porras Martínez of the ELN.
How was the recovered military material disposed of by authorities?
The explosives were destroyed through a controlled detonation directly at the site of the discovery, following standard security protocols.
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