Colombian President Ivan Duque said on Friday that a helicopter carrying him and several other officials was struck by multiple bullets in the southern Catatumbo region.

The incident took place while the president's helicopter was flying through the Catatumbo region on Colombia's border with Venezuela toward the city of Cucuta, the capital of Norte de Santander province.

"The presidential helicopter was the target of an attack," Duque said, adding that he was accompanied by Defense Minister Diego Molano, Interior Minister Daniel Palacios, and governor of Norte de Santander Silvano Serrano.

No one was injured in the incident, a spokesperson for the presidency said.

"The truth is that it is a cowardly attack, where the impact of the bullets can be seen on the presidential aircraft. Once again, we reiterate that as a government we are not going to falter for a single moment, a single day, in the fight against drug trafficking, against terrorism, and organized crime," said Duque.

He added that he would not allow himself to "be intimidated" by "acts of terrorism."

The troubled Catatumbo region is home to extensive coca crops, the chief ingredient of cocaine. It is where guerrillas of the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) operate, former FARC fighters who reject a 2016 peace deal with the government, along with armed criminal groups involved in drug trafficking.

Defense Minister Diego Molano said the attack could have been carried out by the ELN and the rebel group said it denied having any role in the bombing.

(With input from agencies)