A wave of intense violence has swept through Colombia, leaving at least 18 people dead and dozens injured. Two separate attacks struck the nation this week, signaling a worrying escalation in ongoing conflicts. One incident involved a car bomb on a busy city street, while the other saw a police helicopter shot down by a drone.
The first major incident unfolded in Cali, a large city. A car bomb exploded near the Marco Fidel Suarez Military Air School, located in the northern part of the city. Initial reports indicated 71 people suffered injuries in the blast. Bystanders reported a thunderous explosion close to the air base. Civilians on the street were among those killed. Many nearby homes also sustained damage.
Cali’s Mayor, Alejandro Eder, quickly condemned the attack. He offered a reward for any information leading to the culprits. Authorities evacuated several buildings and schools. The mayor also put a ban on large trucks entering the city. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez labeled the explosion a “terrorist attack.” He pointed fingers at a drug trafficking group known as “Mordisco,” believed to be led by Ivan Mordisco, a former FARC guerrilla leader.
Separately, earlier on Thursday, a police helicopter faced a deadly assault. The aircraft was on a mission to destroy coca plants, a key ingredient for cocaine. It was reportedly struck by a drone, causing it to crash. The incident took place in a rural area outside Medellín, in the northwest of the country. Images shared online showed thick black smoke rising from a forested area near Amalfi, further north. At least 12 people died in this attack, including police officers. It remains unclear if they died in the crash itself or on the ground. Minister Sanchez attributed this attack to the EMC, which is the largest splinter group of the now-disbanded FARC.
In response to the double tragedy, the nation’s President, Gustavo Petro, along with top military leaders, called a security council meeting. They aim to “determine additional protection measures” for the public. The Colombian Defense Ministry issued a strong statement. They declared that “the state will not succumb to terrorism.” They promised that these crimes would be fully investigated and punished according to the law.
Colombia has faced a significant rise in violence in recent months. This increase comes from clashes between government security forces and various groups. These include rebel factions, paramilitary units, and powerful drug gangs. A new and growing threat is the use of drone attacks. There have been 115 such attacks reported in the country this year, mostly carried out by illegal armed groups. Just last week, three soldiers lost their lives to a drone attack in the southwest. Explosive devices were dropped on navy and army personnel at a checkpoint, highlighting the changing nature of the conflict.
Source: BBC