Colombia. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK A Colombian Air Force Hercules plane crashed today (Monday, March 23, 2026) during takeoff from the Puerto Legisamo area in Putumayo province, while carrying troops from the country's armed forces.
Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez, Colombia's Minister of Defense, called the incident painful, and announced that, at this stage. the number of casualties or the circumstances of the accident have not yet been determined.
"It is with great sadness that I report that our Hercules aircraft suffered a tragic accident during takeoff from Puerto to Guisma (Potumayo), while transporting soldiers of our public force," he wrote in his statement.
Military forces were called to the crash scene and are operating on site, while all emergency mechanisms are being activated to treat the injured and assist the families.
It was emphasized that an investigation has been opened to clarify the circumstances of the incident, and that people should refrain from spreading unverified information until official findings are published. "I express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and out of respect for their grief, I urge everyone to refrain from speculation until official information is available," he requested.
"This is a very painful event for the country. May our prayers accompany and ease, to some extent, the pain," he concluded.