At least 18 individuals lost their lives and numerous others sustained injuries in two devastating attacks across Colombia, marking a significant spike in violence that poses serious threats to the nation’s ongoing peace efforts.
In the western city of Cali, a powerful car bomb detonated on a bustling street, resulting in six fatalities and injuring over 60 people. Authorities suspect the blast targeted the Marco Fidel Suarez Military Aviation School, as civilians were caught in the chaos, leading to extensive damage to surrounding buildings. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moment, describing a deafening explosion that reverberated near the air base.
Meanwhile, earlier on Thursday, a tragic drone attack took the lives of at least 12 police officers when their helicopter was on a mission to eradicate coca-leaf plantations, a primary ingredient for cocaine production. The aircraft was reportedly struck while flying over a rural area close to Medellin, illustrating the increasing use of drones in such assaults; images emerged showing thick smoke rising from the crash site in Amalfi, northern Colombia.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the violence, with Sánchez labelling the bombing a "cowardly terrorist attack" attributed to the narco cartel led by Ivan Mordisco. In response to the calamity, the Mayor of Cali has declared martial law and initiated a temporary ban on large trucks entering the city, urging civilians to provide information about the incidents with an offered reward.
The rising incidents of violence, particularly between government forces and various guerrilla factions, paramilitaries, and drug trafficking gangs, pose a significant challenge just ahead of the country's important election year. Both federal authorities and military leadership convened a security council to assess and enhance protective measures for the public amidst this turmoil, reinforcing their commitment to combating terrorism with full force. The Ministry of Defence reiterated on social media that such heinous acts would not deter the state's resolve.
Colombia has witnessed an alarming escalation of violent acts, including a surge in drone incidents, with 115 recorded in 2024 alone, showcasing a grim reality for a nation grappling with the aftereffects of prolonged conflict.
