17 Killed in Car Bomb & Attack on Helicopter in Colombia
Colombia has been rocked by a devastating attack on Thursday, with at least 17 people losing their lives in a car bomb blast and a separate attack on a police helicopter. The attacks have sent shockwaves across the country, with President Gustavo Petro attributing them to dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a now-defunct leftist guerrilla group.
According to reports, the car bomb attack occurred in the town of El Ariari, in the Meta department of Colombia, which is known for its cocoa production. The blast occurred at around 10:30 am local time, and it is believed to have been caused by a truck packed with explosives. The vehicle was parked near a local market, and the resulting explosion was catastrophic.
At the time of writing, at least 12 people had been confirmed dead, with many more injured. The exact number of casualties is still being assessed, as emergency responders work to treat the wounded and clear the debris from the scene.
In a separate attack, a police helicopter was shot down in the town of Puerto López, also in the Meta department. The helicopter was on a routine patrol when it was hit by gunfire, killing around 12 police officers on board. The attack is believed to have been carried out by FARC dissidents, who have been known to target government forces and civilians alike.
President Gustavo Petro was quick to condemn the attacks, stating that they were a “cowardly act” perpetrated by FARC dissidents. He vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, and to continue working to protect the safety and security of Colombians.
The attacks come at a time of heightened tension in Colombia, where a fragile peace process is still underway. The FARC guerrilla group, which was once one of the largest and most powerful armed groups in the country, signed a peace deal with the government in 2016. However, some dissident groups have refused to lay down their arms, and have continued to carry out attacks against government forces and civilians.
The car bomb attack is the latest in a series of attacks carried out by FARC dissidents in recent months. In October, a car bomb exploded in the city of Bogotá, killing three people and injuring many more. In November, a bomb exploded on a bus in the town of Tumaco, killing two people and injuring several others.
The attacks have raised concerns about the stability of the peace process, and the ability of the government to protect its citizens. The international community has also condemned the attacks, with the United States and other countries calling for an end to the violence.
In a statement, the US Department of State said that it was “deeply concerned” by the attacks, and called on the Colombian government to take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We urge all parties to work together to resolve their differences peacefully and to respect the rights and security of all Colombians,” the statement read.
The attacks have also highlighted the ongoing challenge of dismantling FARC dissident groups, which have been able to regroup and reorganize in the years since the peace deal was signed. The Colombian government has launched a number of operations to take down these groups, but they have proven difficult to eradicate.
In the aftermath of the attacks, Colombians are left to mourn the loss of life and to wonder what the future holds for their country. The attacks serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Colombia, and the need for continued efforts to build peace and stability in the region.
Source:
https://amp.dw.com/en/colombia-truck-bomb-helicopter-downing-kill-at-least-17/a-73726663
