Car Bomb Attack Hits Southwest Colombia
A Colombia car bomb attack struck a toll plaza in the country’s southwest on Saturday, just one day after conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella took office.
The Colombian army said the blast happened along the Pan-American Highway, a major route linking the southwestern departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca. Two security guards suffered minor injuries.
Authorities said a vehicle had been abandoned at the toll plaza. A security guard told investigators that an individual left the vehicle before fleeing on a motorcycle.
Colombia Car Bomb Attack Blamed on FARC Dissidents
The army blamed the attack on two dissident groups that emerged from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. The groups rejected the peace agreement that the former rebel organization signed with the Colombian government in 2016.
Soldiers secured the area after the explosion. The army also deployed trained dogs to search for additional explosive devices.
The blast disrupted traffic on the Pan-American Highway. Transportation Minister Elsa Noguera condemned the attack and said authorities were working to restore normal traffic.
New President Takes Tough Security Position
The attack came a day after de la Espriella took the presidential oath in Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca.
During his inauguration speech, the new president promised a tougher approach toward armed and criminal groups. He warned illegal organizations that they must either accept the rule of law or face security forces.
The incident therefore offered an early test of his promised security policy.
117 Prisoners Moved to Maximum-Security Facilities
Separately, de la Espriella announced the transfer of 117 prisoners linked to peace talks under the previous administration.
Officials moved the prisoners to eight maximum-security prisons. The corrections agency said the measure aims to strengthen control inside prisons and prevent criminal organizations from coordinating illegal activities from behind bars.
De la Espriella has rejected the dialogue with armed groups pursued by former President Gustavo Petro.
Political Tensions Remain High
The 48-year-old president entered office after narrowly defeating progressive senator Iv¡n Cepeda in Colombia’s June runoff election.
De la Espriella, a lawyer and businessman with no previous political experience, won amid a deeply polarized political environment.
Meanwhile, Petro has continued to challenge the result and has alleged electoral fraud. Colombia’s electoral authorities officially declared de la Espriella the winner, while international observers gave the election a positive assessment.
The latest Colombia car bomb attack highlights the security challenges facing the new administration as it begins its term.
