Seven Dead as Colombia Hit with Wave of Bombings and Gun Attacks
A series of coordinated bombings and gun attacks across southwestern Colombia left seven dead and dozens injured. Believed to involve a dissident faction of the FARC guerrilla group, these assaults have intensified fears of a return to the violence reminiscent of Colombia’s past. Efforts for peace negotiation with armed groups continue to face challenges amidst this rising security crisis.
CALI, Colombia — A troubling wave of violence struck Colombia on Tuesday, leaving seven people dead due to a series of 24 coordinated bombings and gun attacks throughout the southwestern region. Major cities like Cali, which is the country’s third-largest, faced assaults on police stations and civilian structures, significantly heightening the ongoing security crisis in the Andean nation.
National Police chief Carlos Fernando Triana stated that the attackers, believed to be part of a local guerrilla faction, used an alarming mix of car bombs, motorcycle bombs, rifle fire, and possibly a drone during the assault. Initial reports indicated two police officers among the deceased, with later estimates confirming that the total number of fatalities reached seven, with an additional 28 persons injured.
The devastation left in the wake of these attacks was palpable, as journalists from AFP reported seeing the aftermath in Cali and surrounding towns, including Villa Rica, Guachinte, and Corinto. The combination of wrecked vehicle bombs, charred debris, and damaged buildings painted a stark picture of the chaos that unfolded.
This latest surge in violence follows a failed assassination attempt on a presidential candidate in Bogota just days earlier, leaving many Colombian citizens anxious over a potential resurgence of the frightening violence seen during the 1980s and 1990s, featuring extensive cartel activities and political killings.
Interior Minister Armando Benedetti revealed that the government had received unverified information about the guerrilla group’s potential involvement in the attack on Senator Miguel Uribe.
Amidst this turmoil, Luz Amparo, a bakery owner in Corinto, described the moment the explosion struck her establishment. “We thought it was an earthquake,” she recounted. When she inspected her bakery, she found it practically destroyed, reinforcing the extent of the violence in her community.
Experts have linked these heinous acts to a dissident faction of the disbanded FARC guerrilla group, specifically pointing to the Central General Staff (EMC) as the likely perpetrators. Elizabeth Dickinson, a security analyst from the International Crisis Group, emphasized that the synchronized nature of the attacks signifies a disturbing level of operational capability by the EMC, especially for such a large-scale assault in a metropolitan area like Cali.
President Gustavo Petro’s attempts to negotiate peace with the EMC and similar entities have frequently faltered, further complicating the security landscape. Dickinson asserted that these attacks might be a counter-operation against ongoing military actions that have allegedly targeted a prominent EMC figure known as “Ivan Mordisco.”
In a stark warning following the attacks, the EMC advised the public to steer clear of military and police activities but refrained from taking direct responsibility. This latest violence occurred just days after Senator Uribe was shot twice during a campaign event, an incident that left many Colombians concerned about the implications for national security.
Controversy surrounded Uribe’s shooting, especially after a teenage suspect entered a not-guilty plea for the assassination attempt. Speculations regarding the reach of organized crime have circulated, with President Petro suggesting that an international “mafia” might be behind the plot while questioning the adequacy of Uribe’s security detail on that fateful day.
As this situation continues to evolve, the fear of a return to endemic violence haunts Colombians, as they seek stability amidst chaos.
The recent coordinated bombings and gun attacks in Colombia have raised significant concerns about the security situation in the country, resulting in at least seven fatalities and numerous injuries. This violence, attributed to a dissident faction of the FARC guerrilla group, underscores the challenges faced by the government in maintaining peace and order, despite ongoing efforts to negotiate with armed groups. As fears of a resurgence in violence echo through the nation, the government’s responses remain under scrutiny amid ongoing uncertainty regarding the motivations driving these attacks.
Original Source: globalnation.inquirer.net
