Highway Bombing in Colombia's Cauca Region Kills 14, Injures Dozens

An explosive device detonated on the Pan-American Highway in the El Túnel sector of Cajibío, Cauca department, Colombia, resulted in at least 14 fatalities and over 38 injuries, including five children, according to local authorities. Cauca Governor Octavio Guzmán condemned the attack as an "indiscriminate attack against the civilian population" and called for "forceful, sustained and effective action from the national government in the face of the grave public order crisis we are experiencing."

The Colombian Armed Forces attributed the bombing to dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), led by Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, known as "Iván Mordisco." FARC disbanded in 2016 following a peace agreement, but some members refused to participate in the process and have continued insurgent activities in rural areas.

President Gustavo Petro labeled the perpetrators as "terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers" and called for "the maximum worldwide pursuit against this narco-terrorist group."

This incident is part of a series of violent events in the region, including attacks in El Tambo, Caloto, Popayán, Guachené, Mercaderes, and Miranda. General Commander of Military Forces of Colombia Hugo Alejandro López Barreto described these as "a wave of attacks" and noted that 26 terrorist actions have occurred over two days in the Cauca and Valle del Cauca departments.

The Colombian government has convened a national-level security council to address the escalating violence and coordinate rescue efforts.