Car Bomb and Helicopter Attack Kill 13 in Colombia
Helicopter downed, car bomb explodes in deadly Colombia attacks.
Colombia was struck by two devastating attacks on Thursday, leaving at least 13 people dead and dozens injured, authorities confirmed. The incidents, attributed to dissidents of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), have heightened fears of escalating conflict in the region.
The first attack targeted a police helicopter in Antioquia, northern Colombia, where eight police officers lost their lives. President Gustavo Petro revealed on X that the helicopter was transporting personnel to an area known for coca leaf cultivation, the primary ingredient in cocaine production. According to Antioquia Governor Andrés Julián, a drone struck the aircraft, causing it to catch fire and crash. Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez corroborated this, noting that preliminary investigations point to a drone-induced fire as the cause. Eight others were injured in the attack, though specific details about their conditions remain undisclosed.
In a separate incident in the southwest city of Cali, a car bomb detonated near a military aviation school, claiming five lives and injuring over 30 people. The Colombian Aerospace Force has yet to release further details about the explosion, which sent shockwaves through the local community.
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Initially, President Petro pointed fingers at the Gulf Clan, Colombia’s largest active drug cartel, suggesting the helicopter attack was retaliation for a recent cocaine seizure linked to the group. However, he later attributed both attacks to FARC dissidents, who rejected a 2016 peace agreement with the government. Both FARC dissidents and the Gulf Clan maintain a strong presence in Antioquia, a region increasingly plagued by violence tied to drug trafficking.
The attacks come amid a surge in coca leaf cultivation, which reached a record 253,000 hectares in 2023, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. This rise has fueled tensions, as armed groups vie for control of lucrative drug routes. Petro vowed to intensify efforts to combat these groups, calling the attacks “cowardly acts” aimed at destabilizing the nation.
Local residents in Cali and Antioquia expressed grief and fear, with many calling for stronger security measures. “We can’t keep living like this,” said Maria Rojas, a Cali shopkeeper near the blast site. “Every day feels like a gamble.” As investigations continue, Colombia braces for potential further unrest in its ongoing battle against drug-related violence.
