On Saturday afternoon, a powerful bomb attack occurred on the Pan-American Highway , specifically in the area known as El Túnel, in the municipality of Cajibío, Cauca Department, Colombia. The explosion damaged several vehicles traveling in the area and caused widespread destruction along the highway.
Local authorities reported that the attack left at least seven people dead and more than twenty wounded , many of them seriously. Emergency teams and military personnel were immediately deployed to the scene to assist the victims and secure the area, given the suspicion of the possible presence of more explosive devices.
The Colombian Army confirmed they are conducting inspections along the highway corridor due to the risk of further explosives. President Gustavo Petro, for his part, identified alias Marlon, an alleged member of a dissident group of the now-defunct FARC, linked to the command of Iván Mordisco, as responsible.
Images and videos go viral on social media
The first images circulating on social media show vehicles completely destroyed and the road covered in debris, highlighting the scale of the attack. The footage also shows lifeless bodies lying on the road, which has sparked national outrage.
The governor of Cauca, Octavio Guzmán, expressed his condemnation of the incident, calling it a direct attack against civilians. “It is a tragedy that tears us apart as a department,” he stated, noting that the preliminary death toll includes seven dead and dozens wounded.
President Gustavo Petro also reacted from his official account, blaming illegal armed groups. He stated that they are “terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers” seeking to influence the country’s political landscape amidst the electoral context.
Amid the tense atmosphere, sectors of the opposition also spoke out, criticizing the government’s security policy. Some voices asserted that the total peace strategy has allowed armed groups to strengthen in various regions of the country.
The attack comes a day after other attacks in nearby areas such as Cali and Palmira, reinforcing concerns about an escalation of violence in southwestern Colombia. Authorities have offered a multimillion-dollar reward for information leading to the capture of those responsible.
