A wave of violence has swept through southwestern Colombia, with 31 terrorist attacks carried out in the departments of Cauca, Nariño, and Valle since last Friday. Authorities have attributed these actions to the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), a FARC dissident group led by Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, known as “Iván Mordisco.”
Civilian Toll and Tactical Escalation
The offensive has been characterized by a shift toward “desperate” attacks against civilians rather than strategic military targets. An intelligence official noted that the current violence appears to be driven by the “rage of a terrorist against the State” rather than tactical strategy.
The most severe incident occurred on the Pan-American highway near Cajibío, Cauca, where a bomb targeting civilian vehicles left 21 people dead and 35 others injured. Other tactics used in the region include road blocks, the burning of vehicles, garrison harassment, and the use of commercial drones to launch mortar grenades.
Motivations Behind the Violence
The Fuerza Pública is investigating several hypotheses for the escalation, primarily viewing it as a “cold-blooded revenge” for the death of Mordisco’s spouse and the capture of four of his brothers between August 2025 and March 2026. These brothers were allegedly part of the organization’s logistics support networks.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that these atrocities are a reaction to military operations in the Western cordillera, the Naya river basin, and the Micay canyon. Intelligence suggests Mordisco may have been wounded in the March 26 bombing and is now using these attacks to signal his return to command.
Systemic Challenges and Illegal Economies
Minister Sánchez highlighted a critical lack of collaboration from communities in Cauca, noting that troops were just one kilometer away when the Cajibío bomb exploded, yet no one warned them. He lamented that some security forces are met with hostility, being “spat on” or “kicked out” by some residents.
The government argues that the “tip of the iceberg” is terrorism, but the root cause lies in illegal economies, specifically narcotics and illegal mining. Sánchez emphasized that these activities fund the armed groups and bring violence to the region.
Political Reactions and Future Outlook
The crisis has sparked a divide among political figures. Iván Cepeda expressed concern that the violence could create a climate of fear favoring the far-right, while Abelardo de la Espriella blamed the “total peace” policy of the Petro administration.
Other candidates, including Claudia López and Sergio Fajardo, have called for strengthened intelligence and the implementation of a “Plan Cauca” to ensure effective state presence. Paloma Valencia urged the President to assume responsibility for the public order crisis.
Looking forward, authorities suggest that this pattern of violence may repeat every six months. The EMC could continue utilizing civilian targets to demonstrate power ahead of a new government, or that further military pressure on the Western Block could lead to additional retaliatory strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Iván Mordisco?
Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias “Iván Mordisco,” is the leader of the FARC dissident group known as the Estado Mayor Central (EMC).
What was the most severe attack in the recent wave?
The most grave incident was a bomb explosion on the Pan-American highway near Cajibío, Cauca, which resulted in 21 deaths and 35 injuries among civilians.
What tactics are being used by the EMC in these attacks?
The group has employed the detonation of bombs, the burning of vehicles, road blocks, harassment of military garrisons, and the launching of mortar grenades via commercial drones.
Do you believe that addressing illegal economies is the most effective way to stop regional terrorism?
