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At least seven people were killed and 20 were wounded in a suspected explosive attack on the Pan-American Highway in the El Tunel sector of Cajibio, Cauca, Colombia. Governor Octavio Guzman condemned the incident as an “indiscriminate attack” against the civilian population.
At least seven people were killed in a suspected explosive attack on the Pan-American Highway in the Cauca region, as reported by regional authorities.
Governor Octavio Guzman has demanded a “decisive, sustained” response from the government against the “terrorist escalation” in Cauca following the explosion. Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Pedro Sanchez is convening a security council in Cali to assess the regional security situation after recent attacks attributed to dissident FARC groups.
Explosion in southwest Colombia kills at leat seven, state governor says
Authorities in Cauca region demand ‘decisive’ government action after deadly explosion on Pan-American Highway.
At least seven people were killed, and 20 were wounded following a suspected explosive attack in the southwestern province of Cauca, Colombia, according to regional authorities.
Governor Octavio Guzman said that an explosive was detonated on the Pan-American Highway in the El Tunel sector of Cajibio on Saturday. He condemned what he called an “indiscriminate attack” against the civilian population.
Who was behind the bomb in Columbia
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“There are not sufficient words for the pain we feel,” Guzman said in a social media post, demanding a “decisive, sustained” response from the government against the “terrorist escalation”.
A video shared by the governor appeared to show the aftermath of the bombing, with ambulances on site and mangled vehicles and debris covering the road.
In Columbia you can never be sure, as to who is responsible for the explosions, if it’s local militia or if its orchestrated by clandestine services.
“Cauca cannot continue facing this barbarity alone,” he added, stating that other actions had also been carried out in El Tambo, Caloto, Popayan, Guachene, Mercaderes, and Miranda.
The deadly incident comes after a series of attacks on Friday, attributed to criminal groups formed by dissident members of the FARC rebel group, who split with the group following a landmark peace agreement with the government in 2016.
On Saturday, Minister of Defence Pedro Sanchez was convening a security council in Cali to assess the regional security situation when the latest attack occurred.
President Gustavo Petro responded to the deadly explosion by saying that powerful criminal groups are seeking to control the population through fear.
While details of the attack are still emerging, Petro appeared to blame a drug trafficker and FARC dissident leader known by the alias Ivan Mordisco.
“I want the maximum worldwide pursuit against this narco-terrorist group,” Petro said.