Colombia is facing one of the darkest days in recent years after two terrorist attacks in less than 24 hours left at least 20 people dead and more than 70 wounded, authorities confirmed.
The attacks occurred in Cali, in the southwest of the country, and in Amalfi, Antioquia, in the north, and have sparked a wave of indignation and concern over the deteriorating security situation.
Truck bomb attack in Cali
The first of the attacks occurred on Thursday afternoon in the city of Cali, Colombia.
A truck bomb exploded on the busy Carrera Octava, very close to the Marco Fidel Suarez Military Aviation School, where members of the Air Force are trained.
The blast left seven people dead, all of them civilians – including a minor – and more than 70 injured.
Another truck loaded with cylinder bombs failed to detonate, preventing an even greater tragedy.
“There are already seven deaths from this attack in Cali,” confirmed Mayor Alejandro Éder, who asked Colombians to “keep the victims in their prayers.”
In addition to uniting “with one voice to demand an end to terrorism and to support the security forces in the task of restoring peace”.
President Gustavo Petro reported the capture of two suspects, who were detained by the same population in a neighborhood near the site of the attack.
Helicopter ambush in Antioquia
Hours later, another attack shocked Colombia.
In Amalfi, Antioquia, an Antinarcotics Police helicopter was attacked while participating in an operation to eradicate illicit crops.
The result was 13 policemen killed and at least four wounded.
Among the victims was Captain Francisco Merchán, who died after several hours in serious condition.
According to preliminary investigations, the helicopter was reportedly hit by a drone loaded with explosives.
This forced the crew to make an emergency landing.
Authorities attribute the attack to the 36th Front of the FARC dissidents, although the presence of the Clan del Golfo in the region has also been reported.
“These men died to weaken the drug trafficking that makes routes through the Caribbean and that has the United States as its destination,” said President Petro in a message of condolences.
The governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, assured that the entire hospital network has been activated to attend to the injured.
The Minister of Defense, Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez, announced that “all institutional capacities” were deployed to neutralize those responsible.
A national alert
The death toll from this attack in Cali rises to seven
Alejandro Éder
The combination of these two attacks, which occurred at strategic points and resulted in fatalities, has raised alarms about the capacity of illegal armed groups to operate in different regions of the country.
Analysts warn that violence, added to the context of the unfinished peace process with FARC dissidents and the strengthening of drug trafficking, places Colombia in a critical situation.
With the updated figures, Colombia has at least 20 dead in 24 hours as a result of terrorism.
An example of the urgent challenge of recovering territorial control and citizen confidence.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
