At least four individuals have lost their lives amid a spate of bomb and gun assaults in the southwestern region of Colombia, as reported by local media. Among the deceased are two police officers, following attacks that targeted the city of Cali, the nation's third-largest city, along with several surrounding towns. The assaults employed car bombs, motorcycle explosives, rifle fire, and a suspected drone, targeting police stations, municipal buildings, and civilian hubs, marking a significant spike in violence in the region.
Reports indicate that multiple individuals have sustained injuries, though specific numbers for casualties remain unclear. The Colombian Ministry of Defence issued a statement via social media, confirming that 19 separate attacks occurred in the southwestern part of the country, with 12 incidents occurring in the Cauca region and another seven in Valle del Cauca, highlighting the severity of the unrest.
Officials characterize the violence as a "desperate reaction by illegal armed groups" to extensive military and police operations aimed at disrupting their illicit activities and financial networks. The attacks follow an alarming attempted assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in Bogota just days prior, amplifying the existing security concerns.
The mayor of Cali noted the grim reality of the heightened violence, likening the current situation to the tumultuous times of 1989 when the city grappled with the impact of drug cartels and rampant violence.
