17 Killed in Car Bomb and Attack on Helicopter in Colombia
In a devastating attack, at least 17 people lost their lives on Thursday in a car bomb explosion and a separate attack on a police helicopter in Colombia. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, with authorities scrambling to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
According to reports, the car bomb attack occurred in the town of Tumaco, located in the southwestern department of Nariño. The explosion occurred in the early hours of the morning, when a truck packed with explosives detonated in the town’s main square. The blast caused widespread damage, leaving several buildings destroyed and many more damaged.
In a separate incident, a police helicopter was shot down in the town of El Carmen, located in the northwestern department of Antioquia. The helicopter was carrying a team of police officers who were on a mission to provide security for a local event. The attack killed around 12 police officers, with several more injured.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro attributed both attacks to dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a now-defunct leftist guerrilla group. The FARC was one of the largest and most powerful guerrilla groups in Colombia, but it disbanded in 2017 after signing a peace treaty with the government.
In a statement, President Petro condemned the attacks, saying that they were a “cowardly act” that would not go unpunished. He also praised the bravery of the police officers who lost their lives in the helicopter attack, saying that they had sacrificed themselves to protect the people of Colombia.
The attacks have sent shockwaves across Colombia, with many calling for increased security measures to be put in place to prevent such incidents from happening again. The country has a long history of violence, with many groups vying for power and influence.
The FARC, which was once a major player in Colombian politics, has been weakened significantly since its disarmament and demobilization. However, some former FARC fighters have refused to lay down their arms and have instead formed new groups, including the FARC’s political wing, the FARC-EP.
These groups have been blamed for numerous attacks on civilians and security forces in recent years, and have been accused of drug trafficking and other criminal activities. The Colombian government has vowed to take tough action against these groups, and has pledged to bring those responsible for the recent attacks to justice.
The attacks on Thursday have also raised concerns about the safety of civilians in Colombia. The country has a long history of violence, and many people live in fear of being caught up in the crossfire.
In a statement, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attacks, saying that they were a “serious violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.” He also called on the Colombian government to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.
The attacks have also sparked outrage around the world, with many governments and human rights organizations condemning the violence. The European Union, the United States, and other countries have all issued statements condemning the attacks and calling on the Colombian government to take action to protect civilians.
As the situation in Colombia continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the attacks on Thursday were a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and instability in the country. It is crucial that the Colombian government takes immediate action to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice, and to protect civilians from further harm.
Source:
https://amp.dw.com/en/colombia-truck-bomb-helicopter-downing-kill-at-least-17/a-73726663
