In a shocking turn of events, at least four people have died in Colombia following a series of bomb and gun attacks that swept across the southwestern region of the country. Local media sources report that two police officers were among the fatalities, with assaults targeting the bustling city of Cali and surrounding towns.
The aggression was marked by the use of car bombs, motorcycle bombs, and rifle shootings, along with a suspected drone strike. The Colombian Ministry of Defence indicated that a total of 19 separate attacks occurred, reflecting a staggering surge in violence.
Some media reports are connecting these assaults to a faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a once-dominant guerilla organization. However, the BBC has yet to confirm these claims independently.
Key infrastructures, including police stations and government buildings, were among the many casualties of this escalating crisis. While many were injured, precise figures on the total number of casualties remain unclear.
The Colombian Ministry of Defence characterized the attacks as "a desperate reaction" from illegal armed groups facing intense military and police actions aimed at dismantling their operations. The mayor of Cali warned that the city is reminiscent of the 1989 era, overwhelmed by drug trafficking and cartel violence.
This wave of violence follows a dramatic incident just days prior, where an attempted assassination targeted presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in Bogotá. A 15-year-old has since been arrested in connection with the attack, facing charges including attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon.
