Colombia in Crisis: Coordinated Bombings and Gun Attacks Leave Seven Dead and Dozens Injured
CALI, COLOMBIA — A wave of synchronized bombings and gun assaults swept across southwestern Colombia this week, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 50, in one of the most serious security escalations the country has seen in recent years. The coordinated attacks, which took place in Cali and surrounding towns, targeted police stations, government buildings, and civilian areas, raising fears of a return to the violent era of the late 20th century.
According to Colombia’s National Police, a total of 19 attacks were launched across Cali—the nation’s third-largest city—and the nearby municipalities of Villa Rica, Guachinte, and Corinto. Authorities say the assailants used car bombs, motorcycle bombs, automatic rifles, and potentially even drones to carry out the ambushes. The violence has shocked the nation and intensified concerns over the deteriorating security situation in several regions.
Police and Civilians Among the Victims
National Police Director Carlos Fernando Triana confirmed that two police officers were killed in the attacks, while at least two civilians also lost their lives. Twelve civilians were reported injured, and the total number of wounded continues to rise as hospitals struggle to treat victims of shrapnel wounds, burns, and gunshots.
In the aftermath, AFP journalists documented scenes of chaos: burnt vehicles, scattered debris, and damaged infrastructure, particularly in Corinto, where a bakery was destroyed in the blast. “We thought it was an earthquake,” said Luz Amparo, a resident whose bakery was leveled. “But then we heard gunshots. Everything was gone.”
Who’s Behind the Attacks?
Authorities have blamed the offensive on dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), particularly the Estado Mayor Central (EMC)—a well-organized breakaway group that rejected the 2016 peace accord. According to Elizabeth Dickenson, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, the attacks demonstrate a high level of coordination and operational capacity by the EMC.
“This is not just a symbolic gesture. This shows strategic planning and the ability to carry out complex operations in urban centers like Cali,” said Dickenson. She added that the EMC may be retaliating against recent military operations aimed at eliminating their leader, known by the alias ‘Iván Mordisco’, who is believed to have been injured or killed.
Although the EMC has not officially claimed responsibility, the group issued a public warning advising civilians to avoid police and military installations, suggesting an attempt to distance itself from civilian casualties while maintaining a threatening posture.
Political Tensions Escalate After Assassination Attempt
The attacks come on the heels of another major incident: the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe, a conservative political figure and vocal critic of rising insecurity. The 39-year-old was shot twice in the head while campaigning in Bogotá just three days before the bombings. A 15-year-old suspect has been arrested and pleaded not guilty. Authorities suspect he was acting as a hired assassin.
Uribe remains in critical condition, and his family has publicly decried the political violence. “No family in Colombia should endure this,” said his wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, outside the hospital. “There are no words for what we are experiencing—this is beyond pain or sadness.”
Colombia's Fragile Peace Faces Renewed Threats
This surge in violence marks a sobering moment for Colombia, which has struggled to maintain peace since the historic FARC peace deal of 2016. While the agreement led to a significant reduction in large-scale guerrilla warfare, splinter groups like the EMC have continued to operate in lawless regions, often funded by drug trafficking and illegal mining.
Experts warn that unless the government reinforces its counterinsurgency strategy and addresses the socio-economic roots of rebellion, a full-scale security crisis could engulf the country once more.
For now, residents in affected areas remain on edge, fearful that the recent wave of attacks may only be the beginning of a new chapter of insurgency and unrest in Colombia’s troubled history.