A bombing on a highway in Colombia on Saturday has killed 19 people. Authorities identified the perpetrators as local drug lords and former anti-government rebel members.
Foreign news agencies reported on 26 Apr 2026 that a bombing on a highway in southwestern Colombia has killed at least 19. Officials said the attack was carried out by drug lords who were once members of the FARC rebel group.
Officials stated that the bombing occurred on the Pan-American Highway in the municipality of Cajibío, Cauca province, last Saturday. The attack also injured 38 people, including five children.
Local media reported that a bomb container fell onto a minibus and exploded. Octavio Guzmán, the provincial governor, called the incident a tragedy and warned of an "escalation of terrorism" in the area.
President Gustavo Petro said the attack was carried out by Iván Mordisco, one of Colombia's most wanted criminals. Petro compared him to the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar and described the group behind the attack as "terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers."
Mordisco is a member of a faction that split from the now-disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). He remains active in the region and refused to join the peace agreement FARC signed with the government in 2016.
Saturday's bombing is the latest attack on civilian infrastructure. General Hugo López, commander of the Colombian army, reported that in the past two days there have been at least 26 violent incidents in the departments of Valle del Cauca and Cauca.
This recent attack occurred ahead of Colombia's presidential election scheduled for 31 May, where security is a top issue for voters.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:dw