Seven Dead as Colombia Hit with Wave of Bombings and Gun Attacks
Colombia faced a disturbing wave of violence with 24 coordinated bomb and gun attacks across southwestern regions, killing seven individuals and injuring many more. Authorities suspect a local guerrilla group behind this escalation. This coincides with rising fears of repeating the country’s violent history and follows a recent assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. The situation remains tense as the government struggles against these armed factions.
CALI, Colombia — A series of 24 coordinated bomb and gun attacks wreaked havoc across Southwestern Colombia on Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least seven individuals. This alarming spike in violence exacerbates the ongoing security crisis that has plagued the Andean nation. The assailants targeted police posts, municipal structures, and civilian areas, with the strikes most heavily concentrated in Cali, which is Colombia’s third-largest city, as well as nearby communities.
Carlos Fernando Triana, the National Police chief, indicated that the attackers, believed to belong to a local guerrilla group, used car and motorcycle bombs alongside rifle fire and a suspected drone during the onslaught. He reported that two police officers were among the deceased, with the final toll reaching seven dead and at least 28 others wounded. The chaotic aftermath left journalists from AFP observing the destruction caused by vehicle bombs amidst charred debris and damaged buildings across Cali and the towns of Villa Rica, Guachinte, and Corinto.
The violence erupted just days following an audacious assassination attempt on a presidential candidate in Bogota, further heightening anxiety among a populace that fears a resurgence of violence reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s when cartel rivalry and guerrilla attacks were rampant. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti stated the government had received unverified information regarding potential guerrilla involvement in the attack on Senator Miguel Uribe.
As for the attacks, they were characterized as a “well-coordinated offensive” by experts. In Corinto, local resident Luz Amparo experienced the shock firsthand when an explosion devastated her bakery. “We thought it was an earthquake,” she recounted, adding that confusion and panic followed as she and her neighbors rushed to assess the damage. She described the destruction with sorrow, stating, “Everything was leveled.”
Security analyst Elizabeth Dickinson from the International Crisis Group suggested that a faction of the former FARC guerrilla group, known as the Central General Staff (EMC), was likely responsible. She emphasized that the attacks revealed a significant operational capacity, particularly within the metropolitan area of Cali. Further, Dickinson noted that the group might be reacting to military efforts against them that have reportedly injured their leader, known as “Ivan Mordisco.”
On the eve of these attacks, an alarming incident occurred when Senator Uribe was shot twice in the head at close range while campaigning, an attack that resulted in national shockwaves and speculation regarding its origins. A teenager has since denied involvement in the attack, while the government suspects he was a hired assassin. This incident has prompted public debate about the security measures surrounding Uribe at the time of the assassination attempt; Petro has insinuated a possible connection to organized crime, citing a reduction in Uribe’s security detail on the day of the attack.
In a dramatic escalation of violence, Colombia experienced a wave of coordinated attacks that killed at least seven people. As fears grow of returning to a violent past, the government’s ongoing battle against organized crime and guerrilla groups remains fraught with challenges. Analysts highlight the involvement of the Central General Staff, indicating a significant and alarming threat to national security. Amidst this chaos, public trust in the government’s response to rising violence is critically tested, particularly following the attempted assassination of Senator Uribe.
Original Source: globalnation.inquirer.net
