Inside Colombia’s Elite Sky Soldiers Trained for Jungle Warfare

In the heart of the Colombian jungle lies the Tolemaida military base, where the nation’s elite soldiers, known as “sky soldiers,” undergo brutal training to prepare for deadly missions against drug cartels and militant groups. The Daily Star initially reported this information.

Deep within Colombia’s dense jungles, the Tolemaida military base operates as a clandestine fortress surrounded by rebel-controlled territories. This base is no ordinary military installation—it is the training ground for Colombia’s most elite fighters, who are tasked with some of the nation’s most dangerous missions. As reported by The Daily Star, the soldiers trained here are prepared to face the country’s most ruthless enemies, including drug cartels and armed militant groups.

Tolemaida is not just a base; it is a crucible where the mentally and physically strongest are forged into elite operatives. Every year, special forces soldiers must spend at least 42 days at this base, enduring grueling conditions designed to simulate the intense pressures they will face in the field. Their training is so severe that, according to one soldier, Eduardo (a pseudonym), “the training has to be so brutal that the war will feel like a rest.”

This hidden stronghold is crucial in Colombia’s ongoing struggle against crime and insurgency. Here, soldiers are not just trained but transformed and molded into warriors capable of taking on missions that require secrecy, precision, and a high tolerance for extreme conditions.

The Brutality of Lancero Training

The core of the training at Tolemaida is what’s known as “Lancero training,” a rigorous program that prepares soldiers for operations that require them to infiltrate enemy territories by air or through treacherous terrain. As detailed in The Daily Star, this training is not for the faint of heart—only a small fraction of those who attempt it succeed. Out of 120 soldiers who tried to enter the special forces, only 17 made it through, highlighting the sheer difficulty of the selection process.

One of the critical components of Lancero training is the preparation for landing in tight jungle spaces or scaling down the sides of skyscrapers. Soldiers undergo exercises that involve climbing a 50-foot structure designed to replicate the experience of descending from a helicopter or rappelling down a building. They carry all their gear, including M16 rifles and anti-venom supplies, as they practice descending face-down on ropes—a method that requires both skill and nerves of steel.

Those who complete the training earn the title of “sky soldiers,” a designation reserved for the best of the best. As Luis (also a pseudonym), another soldier, remarked, “Not everyone jumps; only the special forces do this.” The intense physical and psychological demands of this training prepare these soldiers for the high-stakes missions they will face in the field, where failure is not an option.

Surviving the Stress Course

Another critical aspect of the training at Tolemaida is the “stress course,” an exercise designed to push soldiers to their limits and beyond. According to The Daily Star, this course tests endurance, agility, and quick thinking under pressure. Soldiers must navigate a course marked with red and blue dots indicating danger zones, all while carrying explosives, launching weapons, and throwing grenades.

The stress course is more than just a physical challenge—it is a psychological crucible that teaches soldiers to remain calm and focused in life-or-death situations. As Eduardo explained, “We are training ourselves with live bullets. And it doesn’t matter how experienced you are or how much training you have; there is a saying in Colombia that even doctors die.” This training is meant to prepare soldiers for the unpredictable nature of combat, where any mistake can be fatal.

In addition to the physical challenges, soldiers are taught to work together in silence, moving as one cohesive unit. They practice under the sweltering heat and in the inhospitable terrain of the jungle, where every step can be treacherous. This training instills in them the discipline and precision needed to survive in the most dangerous environments.

The Psychological Toll of Elite Warfare

While the physical demands of training at Tolemaida are immense, the psychological toll is perhaps even more significant. Soldiers like Eduardo and Luis are constantly aware of the dangers they face during training and in the following missions. These men are tasked with some of the most challenging operations in the country, often going on between 25 and 40 missions a year, with some lasting up to three weeks.

The fear of death is a constant companion for these soldiers, but it is not the fear of dying itself that haunts them. Eduardo candidly shared with The Daily Star, “I believe we all have the fear. Maybe it’s not the fear of dying. There’s this uncertainty and sadness of being unable to talk to your family again. I think that’s what I fear the most.” This emotional burden is something that every soldier at Tolemaida must carry with them, even as they prepare to face the horrors of combat.

Despite the relentless demands, these soldiers understand the importance of their work. The secrecy surrounding their missions is not just a matter of protocol—it is a matter of survival. Cartels and rebel groups are always on the lookout for information, and a single leak could mean the difference between life and death.

Also read: Drug Trade Perpetually Undermines Colombia’s Quest for Peace

Tolemaida military base is more than just a training ground—it is a crucible that shapes Colombia’s most elite soldiers, preparing them for the deadly and high-stakes missions that define their careers. As initially reported by The Daily Star, the intense training these soldiers undergo is designed to ensure they are ready for anything, from navigating the treacherous jungle terrain to infiltrating enemy strongholds. Yet, the actual test of their training lies not just in their physical abilities but in their mental resilience—the ability to face the constant threat of death and to do so with the knowledge that their success is vital to the safety and security of their nation.