An attack on a military base in Planadas, a town in southern Colombia's Tolima province, killed four civilians, including a 2-month-old baby, President Abelardo de la Espriella announced Monday. Unidentified assailants fired rockets at the base Sunday night, striking nearby homes and a hospital, according to Planadas Mayor Juan Camilo Hueje.

"We reject this attack that affected our hospital, put the lives of patients and medical personnel at risk, hit homes and left families in grief," Hueje stated on Facebook. "Planadas deserves to live in peace."

De la Espriella stated that rebel groups continue to stage attacks, citing incidents in Cauca province where rebel groups are targeting toll booths. He vowed to "use the full capacity of the state to finish off these criminal structures" and continue with aerial spraying of coca fields.

According to Colombia's Human Rights Ombudswoman Iris Marín, two rebel groups have been fighting for control of the area around Planadas since 2022. The violence has intensified recently as the military conducted operations against illegal gold mines near the town, she said.

Marín described Sunday's attack as an infringement of international humanitarian law.

Violence has increased in several rural regions of Colombia in recent years as smaller drug gangs and rebel groups vie for territory abandoned after a 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). De la Espriella suspended peace talks with remaining rebel groups after taking office in August, launching a security strategy that prioritizes military pressure, including increased airstrikes and a joint task force to protect a key pipeline from rebel attacks.

In response, some rebel groups have staged attacks with explosives along highways, attempted to impose lockdowns on civilians, and targeted police stations or military bases. Research group ACLED reported 34 attacks with bombs or explosives by state forces and illegal armed groups in Colombia during the four weeks ending Oct. 16, a 9% increase from the previous year's average for a similar period. This figure includes drone attacks and improvised devices, as well as military airstrikes on rebel camps.