Cliff Notes – Multiple dead after string explosions in Colombia
- At least two fatalities and 36 injuries reported following coordinated bomb explosions targeting police posts in Cali, Colombia.
- The attacks, which involved a motorcycle bomb and additional explosions in nearby municipalities, are attributed to dissident FARC factions active in the region.
- The incidents occurred just before President Gustavo Petro’s planned visit to Cali for a labour reform demonstration, heightening concerns over security in the country.
Multiple dead after string explosions in Colombia
At least two people were killed on Tuesday after a string of bomb explosions targeted police posts in the southwestern Colombian city of Cali, officials said.
Spanish news agency EFE reported that at least 36 people were injured in the explosions.
While it remains unclear who carried out the apparently coordinated attacks, guerrilla groups that split from the once-powerful FARC militia are known to be active in the area.
What do we know about the attacks in Cali, Colombia?
The blasts occurred in the neighborhoods of Meléndez, Manuela Beltran, and Los Mangos. One of the bombs is believed to have been planted on a motorcycle, according to officials.
Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder stated on social media platform X that emergency services were responding. “Our security forces are on the scene and health teams are on alert in case of further incidents,” he said.
Footage from the attacks showed several people lying injured in the streets while bystanders and police attempted to assist them.
Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay shot
The bombings came just days after the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate in Bogota, a brazen attack that has put the country on edge. Conservative senator Miguel, 39, was shot twice in the head at close range by a 15-year-old alleged hitman while campaigning Saturday in Bogota.
How far have the attacks spread?
Another explosion was also reported in Jamundi, a municipality near Cali.
Additional attacks took place in the neighboring department of Cauca, where two car bombs exploded in the towns of El Bordo and Corinto, causing material damage but no casualties. In the town of Caloto, a police officer was killed by a sniper, and another explosion struck the toll booth in Villa Rica, also in Cauca, about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from Cali.
The Colombian Army’s Third Division, which operates in the region, blamed the attacks on dissident FARC faction led by Nestor Gregorio Vera, alias Ivan Mordisco.
“We express our full support for the police, who were the direct target of these cowardly attacks, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the defense and security of our citizens,” the military said in a statement.
The attacks came just one day before President Gustavo Petro was scheduled to visit Cali to participate in a public demonstration organized by labor unions in support of his proposed labor reform. The reform faces legislative setbacks and may be pushed through via a national referendum.
Anthropic calls for AI labs to consider a pause amid control concerns
Anthropic has called for a coordinated pause in the development of advanced AI systems, citing concerns that rapid technological advancements may lead to humans losing
Mogadishu clashes exacerbate Somalia’s ongoing political crisis
Fighting broke out in Mogadishu as tensions surrounding delayed elections escalated. Government and opposition forces engaged in armed clashes, leading to significant disruption and civilian
Sources
Colombia: Multiple dead after string explosions in Cali – DW
Seven dead as Colombia hit with wave of bombings and gun attacks – Yahoo News UK
String of explosions: Three killed after 16 bombs detonate in Colombia; coordinated attack suspected – Times of India