March 24, 2026 | 11:44 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A military transport plane carrying 128 people crashed shortly after takeoff in Puerto Leguizamo in southern Colombia, killing at least 66 and injuring dozens, according to the head of Colombia’s armed forces. Four military personnel remain missing.
"Sadly, as a consequence of this tragic accident, 66 of our military elements died," General Hugo Alejandro Lopez Barreto said
Local government secretary Carlos Claros told RCN television that another 81 people were injured
Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said the Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 was transporting troops from Puerto Leguizamo to Putumayo.
Investigators were probing the cause of the crash.
What do we know about the Hercules C-130 crash?
The military aircraft crashed as it was taking off from Puerto Leguizamo, in Colombia's southern Amazon region on the border with Peru, according to Sanchez, who called it a "tragic accident."
Photos shared online showed a black cloud of smoke rising from where the plane had crashed. Soldiers were seen rushing to the site.
Local outlet BluRadio said the crash occurred just 3 kilometers (2 miles) from an urban center, citing authorities.
"The exact number of victims and the causes of the crash have not yet been determined," Sanchez initially said.
What do we know about Hercules C-130 aircraft?
Sanchez said the cause of the crash was being investigated.
"At the moment, we have no information, or indications, that it was an attack by an illegal armed group," the military chief Barreto added.
President Petro criticized "bureaucratic difficulties" for delaying his plans to modernize the military in a post on X.
"I will grant no further delays; it is the lives of our young people that are at stake," he said. "If civilian or military administrative officials are not up to this challenge, they must be removed."
Since the late 1960s, Colombia has been acquiring Hercules C-130 planes, which were launched in the 1950s. Recently, Colombia replaced some older models with newer ones sent from the US.
In Bolivia, a Hercules C-130 belonging to the country's Air Force crashed in the populous city of El Alto in February, killing over 20 people and injuring 30 more.
Read: All 15 Passengers Dead in Colombian Plane Crash
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump Hails 'Very Good' Meeting with Colombia's Petro
48 hari lalu
Colombian President Gustavo Petro met US President Donald Trump for the first time at the White House on Tuesday.
All 15 Passengers Dead in Colombian Plane Crash
53 hari lalu
A Colombian aircraft carrying 15 people, including Congressman Diogenes Quintero, made last contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff.
Trump to Meet Colombian President at White House Amid Rising Tensions
8 Januari 2026
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday it was a "great honor" to speak with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro.
Countries Around the World Condemn US Attack on Venezuela
4 Januari 2026
Countries around the world have condemned the United States' attack on Venezuela.
Trump Announces US Will Store Oil and Ships Seized from Venezuela
23 Desember 2025
President Donald Trump asserts that the U.S. will maintain oil commodities and seize ships off the Venezuelan coast.
As COP 30 Ends, Environmentalists Applaud Colombia but Criticize Indonesia
23 November 2025
An article about the drama at COP 30 and the collective efforts to transition from fossil fuels, with Colombia and the Netherlands taking the initiative.
US Sanctions Colombian President, Citing Failure in Drug War
25 Oktober 2025
The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has been sanctioned by the U.S. for allegedly refusing to stop the flow of cocaine to the country.
Colombia Recalls Ambassador to the US Amid Rising Diplomatic Tension
21 Oktober 2025
Colombia announced the step after US President Donald Trump referred to President Gustavo Petro as an 'illegal drug leader'.
World Leaders Condemn Israel's Interception of Global Sumud Flotilla
3 Oktober 2025
At least 44 countries were represented in the 500-member Global Sumud Flotilla. They were intercepted by Israel as they near Gaza waters.
Colombia Produces First Domestic Rifle to Replace Israeli Arms
30 September 2025
Colombia has unveiled its first locally produced assault rifle, a lighter and cheaper model set to replace Israeli-supplied firearms.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/3381466/original/043629600_1613720800-photo-1512632578888-169bbbc64f33.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4010689/original/086569000_1651202668-pexels-rayn-l-3163677.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5448205/original/085550400_1766022443-Cek_Fakta_Tidak_Benar_Ini_Link_Pendaftaran_-_2025-12-18T084617.730.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5428698/original/015580400_1764559226-Kalender_HIjriah_Desember_2025.JPG)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/2855596/original/055794600_1563344847-iStock-1134972492.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/1626268/original/067647800_1497616352-Mantan-MenKes-Siti-Fadilah-Divonis-4-Tahun-Penjara-01.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4990655/original/018003600_1730716747-tata-cara-sholat-tahajud-agar-keinginan-terkabul.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5424037/original/048660500_1764130779-sholawat_ujang_bustomi.png)
