Seven Dead as Colombia Hit with Wave of Bombings and Gun Attacks
Colombia experienced a series of coordinated bomb and gun attacks on Tuesday, resulting in at least seven deaths. Targeting police stations and civilian buildings in Cali and nearby towns, the violence is blamed on suspected guerrilla factions. This escalation raises fears of a return to the violence of past decades, mirroring concerns following an attempted assassination of a presidential candidate just days earlier.
In Colombia, a wave of violence struck on Tuesday with 24 coordinated bomb and gun assaults that resulted in at least seven fatalities. This latest round of attacks overwhelmed areas in the southwest, particularly targeting Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, and nearby towns. Police stations, public buildings, and civilian areas became scenes of chaos and destruction amid this alarming wave of violence.
Carlos Fernando Triana, the national police chief, suggested a guerrilla group might be behind these brutal attacks. Utilizing car bombs, motorcycle explosives, rifle fire, and possibly even a drone, the assailants caused widespread panic. According to law enforcement officials, in addition to the deceased, 28 individuals were injured.
Witnesses reported the aftermath of devastation in Cali and towns like Villa Rica, Guachinte, and Corinto, where the remains of vehicles and damaged structures littered the streets. This violent episode follows closely on the heels of an attempted assassination of a presidential candidate just days prior, adding to the country’s current state of dread and insecurity.
Colombians are increasingly concerned about a resurgence of violence reminiscent of the turmoil that plagued the nation during the 1980s and 1990s, marked by cartel-related attacks and political murders. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti indicated the government has received unverified information hinting at possible guerrilla involvement in the assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe.
Residents described their experiences during the assaults. Luz Amparo from Corinto recalled the moment her bakery was attacked, mistaking the blast for an earthquake initially. “We thought it was an earthquake,” Amparo recounted, as panic surged through her neighborhood amid the chaos.
Experts are attributing the orchestrated attacks to a dissident faction within the formerly dominant FARC guerrilla group. Elizabeth Dickinson, a security analyst from the International Crisis Group, highlighted the impressive coordination behind these actions. She noted, “This is a particularly well-coordinated offensive. It really demonstrates the capacity that the group has built.”
President Gustavo Petro’s attempts at peace talks with the EMC and other armed factions have met with repeated failures. Dickenson suggested that the current wave of violence might be a response to a military operation targeting the EMC’s leader, “Ivan Mordisco.” She stated that such violent displays seem aimed at increasing the stakes for the government’s military initiative.
Additionally, the EMC issued a statement urging civilians to steer clear of military and police facilities but refrained from taking direct responsibility for the attacks. This came shortly after Senator Uribe was targeted in a shocking assassination attempt, leaving the nation in disbelief. A 15-year-old alleged hitman pleaded “not guilty” as investigations continue into the attempted killing, raising many questions regarding security protocol and the motives behind these violent actions.
Petro has turned to social media to suggest that an international “mafia” might have orchestrated the attack on Uribe, hinting at a deeper conspiracy. He pointed out that the senator’s security arrangements seemed suspiciously diminished on the day of the assault.
In summary, Colombia faces a grave security crisis, as evidenced by a recent spate of bombings and gun assaults that left seven dead. Many attribute this wave of violence to guerrilla groups seeking to assert their power. As the nation grapples with fears of escalating violence reminiscent of its troubled past, questions linger about the effectiveness of President Petro’s government in addressing these grave security threats. In light of ongoing tensions, the need for a robust response to ensure public safety has never been clearer.
Original Source: globalnation.inquirer.net
