At least 7 dead after series of bomb attacks hit southwest Colombia
A wave of explosions in southwest Colombia has rocked the country as rebel groups detonated bombs near police stations in the city of Cali and the neighbouring Cauca province, which led to the killing of at least seven people, including two police officers while 28 people were left wounded, including 19 civilians.
The Colombian National Army and police said the country's police were a 'direct target' of the attacks. Colombia's national police reported at least 24 'terrorist attacks' took place throughout the country including car bombings, firearm attacks and launch of explosive devices.
Army and police spokesperson linked the attack to Estado Mayor Central (EMC)-FARC group, which was formed by former members of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia who broke away and started their own guerrilla force after the group signed a peace deal with the Colombian government in 2016.
Mantenemos una operación ofensiva en el suroccidente del país contra uno de los cerebros terroristas y reclutador de menores en Cauca.
Colombia no se doblega ante el terrorismo. Pendiente ampliar información.
— Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez S. Orgullosamente Colombiano (@PedroSanchezCol) June 10, 2025
However, the Estado Mayor Central group has not taken the responsibility of the attacks and instead accused the Colombian government of not honouring the peace process and going back on it, while giving suggestions to the public to avoid crossfire.
Colombia's Defence Ministry described the attack as 'a desperate reaction by illegal armed groups to the massive operations of the [military and police], which have devastated their illicit structures and economies,' BBC reported.
Cali's Mayor Alejandro Eder, which is Colombia's third largest city, said that three explosive devices were detonated on Tuesday. Authorities said the rebels placed the bombs in vehicles that were parked near the police stations. Police stations, municipal buildings and civilian targets were hit in the series of bombings as the South American country's security crisis deepens.
The serial bombing attack near police stations came a few days after Colombia's presidential candidate and Senator Miguel Uribe was shot in his head during a campaign rally, and he continues to fight for his life. Uribe, 39, was shot in his head on Saturday in the capital Bogota. The hospital treating the conservative presidential candidate said on Tuesday that he is in a critical condition.
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