At least 20 people were killed and several wounded in an explosives attack on Saturday in western Colombia, authorities confirmed.
The blast struck the Pan-American Highway in the El Tunel area of Cajibio municipality, about 35km from Popayan, the capital of Cauca province.
Dashcam footage captured debris flying through the air as terrified residents fled. The explosion left vehicles destroyed and the road littered with wreckage.
Cauca Governor Octavio Guzman described the incident as part of a wave of violence. “Cauca cannot continue to face this barbarity alone. We are facing a terrorist escalation that demands immediate responses,” he said.
He called for “forceful, sustained and effective action from the national government in the face of the grave public order crisis we are experiencing.”
Presidential candidate Paloma Valencia, from the opposition Democratic Center party, condemned the attack. “President Gustavo Petro’s government cannot continue minimizing the violence or dismantling the state,” she said.
She added: “We demand immediate action, full backing for our Armed Forces and police, and concrete results.”
Escalation Of Violence In Cauca
Authorities blamed dissidents of the FARC guerrilla group, who rejected the 2016 peace deal. The attack is part of a broader escalation in Cauca, where criminal groups have intensified operations.
President Gustavo Petro, whose term is nearing its end, has pursued a “total peace” policy through negotiations and intermittent ceasefires with armed factions.
However, critics argue the policy has emboldened dissidents. Valencia called the attack “terrorism” and warned that the government’s approach risks further instability.
The explosion underscores the fragile security situation in Colombia’s southwest, where armed groups continue to contest territory despite peace agreements.
Now, Colombia’s peace process is in shambles amid escalating violence from dissident factions.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
