17 Killed in Car Bomb and Attack on Helicopter in Colombia
Colombia has been rocked by a series of violent attacks in recent days, with a car bomb explosion and an attack on a police helicopter leaving at least 17 people dead. The attacks are believed to have been carried out by dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a now-defunct leftist guerrilla group.
The first attack occurred in the town of Tumaco, in the southwestern department of Nariño, where a car bomb exploded in a busy street. The blast killed at least 5 people and injured many more. The attack was carried out in a crowded area, causing widespread destruction and chaos.
Just hours later, a police helicopter was shot down in the town of Florencia, in the department of Caqueta. The helicopter was carrying a team of police officers on a mission to provide security for a local community. The attack killed around 12 police officers, including the pilot, and injured several others.
The attacks have sent shockwaves throughout Colombia, with many people expressing outrage and grief over the loss of life. President Gustavo Petro has vowed to take action to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice, and has attributed both attacks to dissidents of the FARC.
The FARC was a powerful leftist guerrilla group that was active in Colombia for more than five decades. The group was known for its violent tactics, including bombings, kidnappings, and assassinations. Although the FARC signed a peace agreement with the Colombian government in 2016, many of its former fighters have refused to disarm and have instead formed new armed groups.
The attack on the helicopter is believed to have been carried out by a group known as the FARC dissidents, which is led by a former FARC commander named Ivan Márquez. Márquez is a notorious figure who has been accused of numerous human rights abuses during his time with the FARC. He and his followers have been involved in a number of violent attacks in recent years, including bombings, ambushes, and kidnappings.
The car bomb attack in Tumaco is also believed to have been carried out by FARC dissidents. The blast was powerful enough to destroy several buildings in the area, and caused widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
The attacks in Colombia come at a time of increased tension in the country, with many people expressing concerns over the rise of violence and insecurity. The country has been struggling to rebuild and recover from years of conflict, and many people are worried about the impact that the attacks will have on their daily lives.
In a statement, President Petro vowed to take action to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice, and to work to restore peace and stability to the country. “We will not allow these acts of terrorism to destabilize our country,” he said. “We will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, and to provide support to the families of the victims.”
The attacks in Colombia are a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the country, and the need for continued efforts to promote peace and stability. The violence and insecurity that exists in the country is a major obstacle to development and progress, and it is essential that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice in order to restore peace and stability.
As the investigation into the attacks continues, many people in Colombia are left to wonder what the future holds, and what steps can be taken to prevent such attacks from happening again. One thing is clear, however: the people of Colombia will not tolerate violence and terrorism, and will work together to build a safer and more peaceful future for themselves and their families.
News Source:
https://amp.dw.com/en/colombia-truck-bomb-helicopter-downing-kill-at-least-17/a-73726663
