Deadly highway explosion in Colombia kills and injures dozens
Highway explosion in Colombia leaves dozens of casualties (photo: policia.gov.co)
A powerful explosion occurred in Colombia on the Pan-American Highway, killing at least 14 people. The tragedy is part of a broader wave of terrorist attacks in the country, according to CNN and Cauca Department Governor Octavio Guzmán.
Highway explosion aftermath
The tragedy took place in the El Túnel sector of the city of Cajibío. An explosive device detonated directly on a busy stretch of road.
Local authorities say children are among the dead and the 38 injured. The blast was so powerful that it left a deep crater in the middle of the highway, with damaged cars and buses scattered around.
"An explosive device was detonated on the Pan-American Highway, in an indiscriminate attack against the civilian population that, preliminarily. We are facing a terrorist escalation that demands immediate responses," Cauca Governor Guzmán said.
Highway #explosion in #Colombia leaves at least 14 dead, with dozens injured pic.twitter.com/Wo8m5kcb6t
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Country-wide wave of attacks
Colombian military leadership said the blast was not an isolated incident. Over the past two days, 26 terrorist attacks have been recorded in the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca.
The attacks took place in the cities of El Tambo, Caloto, Popayán, and Miranda, as well as in other settlements.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called those responsible "fascists and drug traffickers," urging maximum international pursuit of the armed groups.
Who stands behind assaults
Colombian authorities have officially blamed dissident groups from the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) organization for the explosions. In particular, the militants are linked to factions led by Néstor Vera Fernández, known as Iván Mordisco.
Despite the 2016 peace agreement, some units refused to disarm and continued insurgent activity, financing it through drug trafficking.
Security officials believe the current escalation is a response by militants to ongoing pressure from government forces.
Situation in Colombia
Security conditions in Colombia have recently deteriorated significantly. In early February, unknown attackers opened fire with automatic weapons on a convoy carrying a sitting senator, killing several of his security guards.
In addition, in late January, a major aviation disaster occurred when a plane carrying 15 people crashed near the border with Venezuela. Reports indicated that Colombian politicians, including a legislator and a congressional candidate, may have been among the dead.
Due to rising tensions in the region, the United States has also warned airlines about possible military activity in the airspace over Colombia and Mexico, along with disruptions to GPS signals.
