7 killed in bomb attacks in Colombia, including 2 police officers

A string of bomb and car bomb attacks blamed on FARC dissidents left seven people dead and dozens injured Tuesday in Colombia’s Cauca and Valle del Cauca regions.

Authorities said the coordinated attacks — 17 in total — were carried out by rebels loyal to Iván Mordisco to mark the third anniversary of the death of Leider Johany Noscue, known as Mayimbú, a top dissident commander killed in 2022.

Among the dead are two police officers. One was shot by a sniper in Caloto. Another died after a bomb was planted at a checkpoint near the Villa Rica toll booth.

At least five civilians were also killed — two in separate blasts near Cali police stations, and four more in an explosion in Jamundí. Authorities said more than 36 people were injured, with over 20 hospitalized.

Additional attacks, though non-fatal, were reported in Buenos Aires, Timbiquí, Corinto, and Patía, all in Cauca.

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said the bombings were a direct reaction to military operations tightening around FARC dissident strongholds in the Micay Canyon and Nariño highlands.

“They’re feeling the pressure and striking back with terror tactics,” Sánchez said.

Local officials, including Cali’s mayor Alejandro Eder and Valle del Cauca Governor Dilian Francisca Toro, condemned the attacks as acts of terrorism.

Despite the government’s push for dialogue with armed groups, violence tied to FARC dissidents and the ELN continues to rise — driven by the fight for control over drug corridors and strategic rural territories.

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