Three days of mourning declared after 69 personnel die in Putumayo crash; probe examines causes and equipment conditions.

Colombia has entered a period of national mourning after a military aircraft crash killed 69 members of the armed forces in the southwestern department of Putumayo.

President Gustavo Petro announced the decision on X following the incident occurred on March 23 near Puerto Leguízamo. “I have decreed three days of mourning throughout the national territory in memory of the 69 uniformed personnel who lost their lives in the air accident,” he stated.

The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules operated by the Colombian Aerospace Force, was carrying 128 personnel from the Army, Aerospace Force, and National Police when it crashed during the ascent phase. The remote location of the crash site complicated initial search and rescue operations.

Text Reads: I have declared three days of national mourning across the entire country in memory of the 69 service members from the Army, Aerospace Force, and National Police who lost their lives in the air crash in Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo, on March 23.
Flags will be flown at half-staff at all public institutions, military and police bases, and at every Colombian embassy around the world.
The corresponding military honors will be carried out in response to this event that has brought our nation into mourning.

As part of the measure, flags have been ordered at half-staff across public institutions, military and police units, and Colombian embassies abroad. Petro also confirmed that honors will be held for the victims, stating: “The corresponding military honors will be carried out for this event that fills us with mourning as a country.”

Authorities have opened a technical investigation to determine the cause of the crash, assessing possible mechanical failure, weather conditions, or human factors. Initial findings rule out any indication of an external attack.

Following the incident, Petro questioned defense procurement practices under previous administrations, referring to existing equipment as “corrupt scrap.” He added: “I feel deep pain for the lost children,” while raising concerns about past spending priorities.

The president instructed the Ministries of Defense and Finance to accelerate funding for the renewal of military equipment. “No general should take a commission from the purchase of weapons to defend the people,” he said, signaling a parallel line of inquiry into financial management linked to the military’s air fleet.

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