Deadly Explosion
An explosive device detonated on a bus in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, killing at least 14 people and injuring at least 38 others. The blast occurred on the Pan-American Highway in the municipality of Cajibio, within the Cauca province. Governor Octavio Guzman called the incident a "tragedy" and warned of a "terrorist escalation."
Blame and Responsibility
President Gustavo Petro attributed the attack to Ivan Mordisco, a dissident of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Petro has compared Mordisco to the late drug lord Pablo Escobar, calling those responsible "terrorists, fascists and drug traffickers." General Hugo Lopez, commander of Colombia's Armed Forces, blamed the network of Ivan Mordisco and the Jaime Martinez faction.
Rising Violence
The army chief described the attack as a "terrorist act" as violence linked to drug trafficking in the region escalates. The attack comes a month before the country's presidential election. Presidential candidate Paloma Valencia, from Cauca, called for immediate action against the violence, stating that President Gustavo Petro's government cannot continue minimizing the violence or dismantling the state.
Regional Impact
Cauca Health Secretary Carolina Camargo told Noticias Caracol that five children were among the injured. Visuals shared by Guzman on social media showed extensive damage to vehicles, including overturned cars and a large crater in the highway.
Government Response
Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez led a delegation to Cali to assess the situation in Valle del Cauca after two attacks were reported on Friday. The incidents prompted a dispatch of high-ranking officials to the region. The spate of attacks comes ahead of presidential elections slated for May 31, with security as one of the central issues of the poll campaign.
