Explosion in Colombia kills seven, raises security concerns

At least seven people were killed and 20 were wounded following a suspected explosive attack in the southwestern province of Cauca, Colombia, according to regional authorities. Governor Octavio Guzman stated that an explosive was detonated on the Pan-American Highway in the El Tunel sector of Cajibio on Saturday, condemning it as an "indiscriminate attack" against civilians. "There are not sufficient words for the pain we feel," Guzman said, demanding a "decisive, sustained" response from the government against the "terrorist escalation".

A video shared by the governor showed the aftermath of the bombing, with ambulances on site and debris covering the road. Guzman noted that other attacks had also occurred in El Tambo, Caloto, Popayan, Guachene, Mercaderes, and Miranda. This incident follows a series of attacks attributed to criminal groups formed by dissident members of the FARC rebel group, who separated from the organization after a peace agreement with the government in 2016.

On the same day, Minister of Defence Pedro Sanchez was convening a security council in Cali to assess the regional security situation when the latest attack occurred. President Gustavo Petro responded to the explosion by stating that powerful criminal groups are attempting to control the population through fear. He specifically pointed to a drug trafficker and FARC dissident leader known as Ivan Mordisco, saying, "I want the maximum worldwide pursuit against this narco-terrorist group."