At least four people have been killed following a barrage of bombings and shootings in south-western Colombia, according to reports from local media sources. Among the deceased, two were police officers who fell victim to the violent episodes targeting Cali, the country's third-largest city, along with several surrounding towns.
The incidents have reportedly involved an array of violent methods, including car bombs, motorcycle bombs, and rifle strikes, as well as a suspected drone attack. The Colombian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that there were 19 separate attacks throughout the region, raising significant concerns about public safety.
Local news outlets have pointed to possible links between some of the assaults and a faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a notorious guerrilla organization known for its historical role in the country’s violence. However, the BBC has not independently verified these claims. Reports indicate that police stations, municipal buildings, and civilian areas have been targeted amid an ongoing security crisis in the South American nation, resulting in numerous injuries, although exact figures on casualties remain unclear.
In a statement circulated on social media, the Colombian Ministry of Defence characterized the violence as a "desperate reaction" from illegal armed groups facing extensive military and police operations that have significantly disrupted their operations and finances.
The mayor of Cali has described the current state of the city as akin to the violent landscape of 1989, a time plagued by narcotics trade and cartel conflicts. The wave of attacks occurred shortly after an attempt on the life of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in Bogota, where a 15-year-old suspect was apprehended. The Attorney General's office has stated that the teenager faces charges of attempted murder and illegal firearm possession but does not accept responsibility, and a judge has subsequently ordered his detention.
