Following the inauguration of conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, a vehicle packed with explosives was detonated at the Mandiva toll plaza along the Panamericana highway in the country’s southwest, according to an official report released by the Colombian army on Saturday, 8.
The blast resulted in minor injuries to two security guards monitoring the regional infrastructure, according to military officials. One of the guards reported that an individual abandoned the vehicle at the site before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle, which triggered the subsequent explosion.
Security Policies and Military Response
The attack occurred just one day after President de la Espriella formally took office in southeastern Colombia on Friday, 7. During his inaugural address, the newly sworn-in president outlined his administration’s strict security policy, issuing a direct warning to illegal armed groups that they possess only two options: “submit to the rule of law or face the public force.”
In response to the weekend bombing, military units deployed to the area alongside trained canine squads to secure the perimeter and clear the region of any additional unexploded ordnance, the army stated via its official account on X.
Attribution and Dissident Factions
Preliminary intelligence and assessments from the Colombian army indicate that the attack was carried out by the Dagoberto Ramos and Jaime Martínez factions. These groups operate as dissident cells of the now-defunct guerrilla organization Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which rejected the peace accord signed with the Colombian state a decade ago.
Government officials have moved quickly to denounce the disruption to regional transit. Minister of Transport Elsa Noguera strongly condemned the “terrorist attack” in a public statement on X, emphasizing that “Colombia will not bow to violence or allow them to destroy the works that connect our regions.” Noguera added that they are working on the ground to restore normal mobility along the highway corridor.
Did you know? The Panamericana highway serves as the primary transportation artery through southwest Colombia, making critical infrastructure points like the Mandiva toll plaza targets for regional armed groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the explosion take place?
The explosion occurred at the Mandiva toll plaza situated along the Panamericana highway in southwestern Colombia.
Who has been blamed for the Mandiva toll plaza attack?
According to preliminary military assessments, the bombing was carried out by the Dagoberto Ramos and Jaime Martínez dissident factions of the former FARC guerrilla movement.
Were there any casualties reported from the blast?
Yes, two security guards protecting the toll plaza infrastructure sustained minor injuries during the vehicle detonation.
What was the government’s official reaction?
Transport Minister Elsa Noguera condemned the incident as a terrorist attack on social media, asserting that the government will work to repair connections and reject violence.
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