Colombia Launches Search After Plane Disappears Near Venezuela Border

Colombia is facing a tense situation after a passenger plane carrying 15 people vanished during a short domestic flight. The Beechcraft 1900 twin-propeller aircraft, operated by private charter firm SEARCA, took off from the border city of Cúcuta and was scheduled to land in Ocaña around midday.

Authorities confirmed that the plane lost contact with control towers just minutes before its expected arrival. The disappearance occurred in a mountainous region notorious for unpredictable weather and the presence of Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).

Among those feared aboard are Diogenes Quintero, a member of Colombia’s chamber of deputies, and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the upcoming elections. Their presence has heightened national concern, with local parliamentarian Wilmer Carrillo urging calm while awaiting official updates.

The Colombian air authority announced that security and search protocols have been activated immediately. Rescue teams are now working under difficult conditions, navigating rugged terrain and volatile weather patterns.

The incident underscores the challenges of aviation in Colombia’s border regions, where geography and security risks often complicate travel. The missing plane highlights both the vulnerability of smaller charter flights and the broader political implications when public figures are involved.

As the search continues, families of the passengers and crew await news, while the nation watches closely for developments. This disappearance is not only a tragic aviation event but also a reminder of the complex intersection between politics, security, and transportation in Colombia.