At least 18 people have lost their lives, and numerous others have been injured in two distinct assaults that have intensified Colombia's ongoing security crisis. One assault involved a car bomb detonation on a bustling street in Cali, which resulted in six fatalities and 60 injuries, as reported by local officials. In a separate incident earlier on Thursday, a drone attack targeting a police helicopter near Medellin led to the deaths of 12 individuals.
Authorities have attributed these heinous acts to various dissident factions stemming from the now-disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), raising significant concerns regarding the stability of Colombia's fragile peace processes as elections approach next year. In response, Cali's Mayor Alejandro Eder imposed martial law in the city and established a temporary restriction on large trucks entering the area, urging the public to provide information regarding the violent incidents, offering a reward of $10,000 for tips leading to arrests.
Following the attacks, the Colombian President and military officials convened a security council meeting to outline enhanced protective measures for the populace. The Ministry of Defence emphasized their commitment to combating terrorism, stating, "The state will not yield to terrorism. These crimes will be pursued and punished with the full force of the law."
Eyewitness accounts describe the Cali car bomb as being aimed at the Marco Fidel Suarez Military Aviation School, leading to civilian casualties and extensive property damage. “There was a thunderous sound of something exploding near the air base,” recounted one observer to the AFP news agency. Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez labeled the explosion a “terrorist attack,” directly attributing it to the narco cartel headed by Ivan Mordisco, one of the Farc's leaders. He suggested that the bombing was a misguided retaliatory action against increasing government control over drug trafficking in regions like Valle del Cauca.
In regard to the drone strike on the police helicopter, President Gustavo Petro noted that the aircraft was engaged in a coca leaf eradication mission, a crucial step in the fight against cocaine production. Tragically, the drone compromised the helicopter's operation, causing it to plummet and resulting in the deaths of all 12 officers aboard.
Amid escalating violence, Colombia has observed rising tensions involving not only dissident rebel factions but also paramilitary groups and drug trafficking organizations. The prevalence of drone attacks has become increasingly concerning; the country recorded a staggering 115 such incidents in 2024, primarily executed by illegal armed factions. Last week, the violence continued unabated, with three Colombian soldiers killed in a similar drone attack involving explosives targeting military personnel manning a security checkpoint in the southwest of the nation.
