Local authorities report that a series of coordinated attacks in Colombia, including car bombs and gunfire, have resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two police officers, amidst rising tensions and insecurity in the country.
Escalating Violence in Colombia: Four Confirmed Dead After Series of Attacks
Escalating Violence in Colombia: Four Confirmed Dead After Series of Attacks
Multiple bombings and shootings in Colombia have left at least four people dead, highlighting an alarming resurgence of violence in the region.
At least four people have died in a series of violent attacks that have rattled south-western Colombia, according to reports from local media. Among the deceased are two police officers, victims of bombings and gunfire that struck the city of Cali—the nation's third-largest—and surrounding areas.
Utilizing a mix of car bombs, motorcycle explosives, and targeted rifle fire, the assault has prompted the Colombian Ministry of Defence to announce a total of 19 separate attacks. Some reports suggest that a faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a previously prominent guerrilla organization, may be behind the violence, although the BBC has not been able to independently confirm these claims.
The attacks have targeted law enforcement facilities, local government offices, and civilian locations, contributing to an escalating security crisis in Colombia. While multiple injuries have been reported, the exact figures regarding fatalities and injuries remain unspecified.
In their social media communication, the Colombian Ministry of Defence described the violence as "a desperate reaction by illegal armed groups" in the face of intense military and police operations aimed at dismantling their operations and economic bases.
The mayor of Cali has drawn parallels between the current situation and the violent drug-fueled era of 1989, implying a regression to the chaotic conditions that once plagued the region. This surge of violence follows the attempted assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in Bogotá just days prior while he was speaking to his supporters, leading to the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect. The Attorney General's office has reported that the minor did not admit to the charges brought against him, which include attempted murder and illegal firearm possession, and he has since been ordered detained by a judge.
