A devastating plane crash claimed the lives of all 15 people aboard a Satena-operated Beechcraft 1900 in northeast Colombia on Wednesday. The twin-engine turboprop departed from Cucuta, near the Venezuelan border, at 11:42 a.m. local time, bound for the short flight to Ocana. Contact with air traffic control was lost just 12 minutes after takeoff, around 11:54 a.m., minutes before the scheduled 12:05 p.m. landing. The aircraft vanished over rugged, mountainous terrain in Norte de Santander department, an area notorious for challenging weather and historical guerrilla activity.

Among the victims were prominent figures: Congressman Diógenes Quintero Amaya, who represented conflict victims from the Catatumbo region in Colombia’s House of Representatives, and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate for the same congressional seat in upcoming elections. Quintero, a dedicated human rights defender, was traveling with team members including assistants and supporters. The passenger list also included local leaders and others from the region. No survivors were found after search teams located the wreckage in the rural Curasica area of Playa de Belén.

The crash occurred in a volatile border zone long affected by armed groups like the ELN guerrilla organization, though initial reports point to possible adverse weather or sudden altitude loss as contributing factors. Authorities have launched a full investigation, with Satena confirming the activation of emergency protocols immediately after the disappearance. The airline expressed profound sorrow and extended condolences to the families, noting this marks a rare fatal incident for the state-owned carrier.

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Colombian officials, including the Transportation Ministry and Civil Aeronautics Authority, confirmed the tragic outcome once the site was reached. Rescue operations faced difficulties due to the dense jungle and mountainous landscape. Vice President Francia Márquez and others expressed national mourning for the loss, particularly highlighting Quintero’s commitment to peace and vulnerable communities in the conflict-ridden area.

This incident has shocked Colombia, especially ahead of March elections, underscoring the risks of air travel in remote, weather-prone regions. Authorities continue to probe the exact cause while supporting grieving families.

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