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At least 13 people were killed and 38 others injured when an explosive device was detonated on a bus traveling along the Pan-American Highway in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, an attack the country's army chief described as a "terrorist act." The bus was traveling in the municipality of Cajibio, in the violence-plagued Cauca region, according to multiple sources.

Coverage comparison

Reports of the attack have varied in casualty figures as authorities continue to update the toll. While most sources reported at least 13 dead and 38 wounded, one report from Al Jazeera initially put the death toll at 7 with 20 wounded, and another Al Jazeera article cited at least 14 killed. The Jerusalem Post, citing a police source, reported 13 dead and 17 wounded. The South China Morning Post and The Hindu both reported 13 dead and 38 injured. All sources agree the attack occurred on the Pan-American Highway, though some specify the El Tunel area of Cajibio, about 35 km from Popayan, the capital of Cauca province.

The attack has been attributed to dissident groups of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who rejected a 2016 peace deal with the government. President Gustavo Petro has specifically blamed a drug trafficker known by the alias Ivan Mordisco, and the army chief also identified the Jaime Martinez faction. However, one Al Jazeera report named a dissident FARC leader known as "Marlon" as responsible, a claim not echoed in other reports.

Key claims

  • At least 13 people were killed and 38 injured in the explosion, according to most sources.
  • The attack occurred on the Pan-American Highway in the municipality of Cajibio, per Governor Octavio Guzman's social media posts.
  • Authorities, including Army Chief General Hugo Lopez, described the attack as a "terrorist act."
  • The attack is linked to escalating violence associated with drug trafficking in the region.
  • Five children were among the injured, according to Cauca Health Secretary Carolina Camargo.
  • Dissident factions of the former FARC rebels, specifically those led by Ivan Mordisco and the Jaime Martinez faction, are blamed for the attack.
  • Governor Guzman demanded "decisive, sustained" action from the national government against what he called a "terrorist escalation."

Perspectives

Official response

President Gustavo Petro, a former rebel himself, condemned the attack on social media and appeared to blame Ivan Mordisco. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez was convening a security council in Cali when the attack occurred, highlighting the government's ongoing efforts to address regional security.

Regional authorities

Cauca Governor Octavio Guzman expressed anguish and frustration, saying "Cauca cannot continue to face this barbarity alone." He called for immediate and effective government action, noting that other criminal actions were reported in the region on the same day.

Opposition voices

Presidential candidate Paloma Valencia, a member of the opposition Democratic Center party from Cauca, called the attack "terrorism" carried out by dissident FARC factions. She criticized President Petro's government for "minimizing the violence" and demanded full backing for the armed forces.

Continuing violence

The attack comes as violence in the region escalates amid drug trafficking disputes. Dissident FARC groups, who rejected the 2016 peace agreement, continue to operate in Cauca and surrounding areas, using violence to control populations and drug routes. Petro's "total peace" policy, aimed at negotiating with armed groups, has faced challenges as such attacks persist.