In Colombia, a troubling surge in violence has left at least 18 people dead and many more injured following two separate attacks attributed to dissident factions of the disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
The first tragedy unfolded in the bustling city of Cali, where a devastating car bomb exploded, killing six individuals and injuring over 60. Eyewitnesses reported the explosion targeted the Marco Fidel Suarez Military Aviation School, resulting in substantial damage to nearby residences. In a prompt response, Cali's Mayor Alejandro Eder imposed martial law, implemented a temporary ban on large truck access to the city, and offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests connected to the attack.
In a different incident earlier the same day, a drone attack on a police helicopter left 12 officers dead in a rural location near Medellin. This aircraft was on a coca eradicating mission, central to combating drug trafficking in Colombia. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the car bomb as a "terrorist attack," linking it to the drug cartel led by the Farc dissident Ivan Mordisco.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro and military officials convened an urgent security meeting following the attacks to strategize enhanced protection measures for civilians. They affirmed the state's commitment to combating terrorism, promising to hold perpetrators accountable.
As violence escalates, Colombia faces a multitude of challenges, with recent months seeing increased confrontations between security forces and groups involved in drug trafficking, including drone attacks becoming a concerning trend. Reports indicate that in 2024 alone, Colombia experienced 115 drone incidents, primarily orchestrated by illegal armed groups.
