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The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) expressed its condolences to the Colombian armed forces following the accident of a C-130H Hercules military aircraft that crashed after taking off from the airport in Caucayá, Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo, resulting in at least 8 fatalities and 83 injuries.
The general Francis L. Donovan, commander of SOUTHCOM, posted an official message on social media X on behalf of the institution: "On behalf of the U.S. Southern Command, Sergeant Major Rodríguez and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and comrades of all those affected by the tragic loss suffered today by the Colombian armed forces." The message concluded with "Semper Fidelis."
The accident occurred on Monday when the aircraft, with registration FAC1016, was transporting 125 people — 114 passengers, mostly soldiers, and 11 crew members — and crashed approximately two kilometers from the airport after experiencing a failure immediately after takeoff. The impact caused a fire that destroyed the aircraft.
The commander of the Colombian Aerospace Force, General Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda, confirmed that "as soon as the aircraft took off, it encountered some problem and crashed to the ground, a few kilometers from the airport," without specifying the causes. The Ministry of Defense ruled out a terrorist act and described the incident as a "tragic accident" and "deeply painful for the country," according to Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez.
The governor of Putumayo, Jhon Gabriel Molina, reported 8 fatalities and 83 injured individuals, among whom 14 were in critical condition. First aid was provided by local residents who transported the injured on motorcycles due to the difficulties in accessing the area. Subsequently, the Aerospace Force sent two airplanes with 74 beds to transfer the injured to hospitals in Bogotá and other cities.
President Gustavo Petro took advantage of the incident to highlight the delays in the modernization of the military aircraft fleet, attributing them to "bureaucratic difficulties." The Colombian fleet of these aircraft, acquired second-hand from the United States and Italy, has been the subject of debate due to its age. The Caucayá airport, with a runway of just 1,200 meters, also presents an operational challenge for large aircraft such as the Hercules.
General Donovan, who assumed command of SOUTHCOM on February 5, 2026 after being nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate, emphasized in his message the sacrifice of military personnel: "We are constantly reminded of the risks our servicemen and women take when they commit to a life of service to our country." Colombia is one of the most important allies of the United States in the region, especially in the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime.
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