Colombian authorities and the state-owned airline Satina announced on Wednesday that a small passenger plane carrying 15 people, including a member of parliament, went missing in a remote and volatile region near the Venezuelan border. The incident sparked widespread concern, and search and rescue protocols were immediately activated to determine the fate of the aircraft and its passengers.
Details of the missing trip
The twin-engine Beechcraft 1900 aircraft, operated by the private charter airline Ciarca, had taken off from the border city of Cúcuta, the capital of Norte de Santander province, en route to the nearby town of Ocaña. Air traffic control authorities reported that contact with the aircraft, which was carrying 13 passengers and a crew of two, was lost shortly before its scheduled landing at 12:50 p.m. local time.
A region with a complex geographical and security landscape
The area where the plane disappeared is known for its rugged, mountainous terrain, part of the Andes Mountains, and its unpredictable weather, which can change suddenly, posing a significant challenge to flight and search operations. This geographical complexity is compounded by a precarious security situation, as the region is a stronghold of the National Liberation Army (ELN), the largest active rebel group in Colombia. The group controls vast swathes of territory in the province, further complicating search and rescue efforts and adding another layer of mystery to the reasons for the disappearance.
The importance and impact of the incident
The presence of prominent political figures on board the plane exacerbated the situation. Wilmer Carrillo, a local council member, confirmed that among the passengers were Congressman Diogenes Quintero and parliamentary candidate Carlos Salcedo, along with their respective teams. Reflecting the level of concern, Carrillo stated, “We received the news of the air accident with concern… We urge calm and await an official statement from the relevant authorities.” Locally, the news sent shockwaves through political and public circles in Norte de Santander. Nationally, the incident underscores the ongoing dangers posed by the combination of natural challenges and armed conflict in certain regions of Colombia, despite the country's peace efforts. It also brings to mind previous air accidents in the mountainous regions of Latin America, where search operations are often lengthy and complex.
