Plane Crash in Colombia Kills 15, Including Politician

Plane Crash in Colombia Kills 15, Including Politician

By Paul V. Young – TheNATIONWEEK.com | January 30, 2026

OCANA, Colombia – A tragic plane crash in northeastern Colombia on Wednesday claimed the lives of all 15 people on board.

 The Beechcraft 1900 twin-engine turboprop, operated by the state-run airline Satena, was en route from Cucuta, near the Venezuelan border, to Ocana.

Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft just 12 minutes after its midday departure. Satena has not yet determined the cause of the crash, as the plane’s emergency beacon was not activated.

Among the victims were lawmaker Diogenes Quintero and members of his team, as well as Carlos Salcedo, a congressional candidate for the upcoming March elections, according to the passenger manifest.

Images from the crash site show significant damage to the aircraft’s fuselage. The incident occurred in a mountainous region known for coca leaf cultivation, the raw material for cocaine. 

Illegal armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN) and a dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), are known to operate in the area.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. 

The difficult terrain and the presence of armed groups may complicate recovery and investigation efforts.