17 Killed in Car Bomb & Attack on Helicopter in Colombia
Colombia has been plagued by violence and terrorism in recent years, and Thursday was no exception. A devastating car bomb attack and a separate attack on a police helicopter left at least 17 people dead and many more injured. The attacks were attributed 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 Alto, in the department of Caquetá, around 1:30 pm local time. The blast ripped through a busy market, causing widespread destruction and chaos. At least 11 people were killed in the attack, with many more injured.
Just hours later, a police helicopter was shot down in the town of San Vicente del Caguán, also in Caquetá department. The attack killed around 12 police officers, making it one of the deadliest attacks on the Colombian security forces in recent years.
President Gustavo Petro quickly attributed both attacks to dissidents of the FARC, which disarmed and demobilized in 2017 as part of a peace deal with the Colombian government. However, some FARC dissidents have refused to lay down their arms and have continued to engage in violent activities.
“It is clear that the FARC dissidents are responsible for these attacks,” President Petro said in a statement. “We will not rest until we bring these criminals to justice and restore peace to our country.”
The attacks come at a time of increased tensions in Colombia, where a surge in violence and crime has been plaguing the country. The government has been working to address the situation, but many have criticized its handling of the crisis.
The car bomb attack in El Alto is one of the deadliest in Colombia in recent years. The blast caused widespread destruction, with many buildings damaged or destroyed. Rescue workers were forced to navigate through the rubble to search for survivors and treat the injured.
The attack on the police helicopter was equally devastating. The aircraft was shot down as it was flying over San Vicente del Caguán, killing all 12 police officers on board. The attack was carried out by suspected FARC dissidents using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
The Colombian government has vowed to take action against those responsible for the attacks. “We will not tolerate these types of attacks on our people,” said Defense Minister Diego Molano. “We will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
The international community has also condemned the attacks. “We are shocked and saddened by the news of the car bomb attack and the downing of a police helicopter in Colombia,” said a statement from the European Union. “We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms and offer our condolences to the families of the victims.”
The attacks are a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Colombia. Despite the country’s progress in recent years, violence and terrorism remain significant threats to its stability and security. The government will need to take swift and decisive action to address these issues and ensure the safety of its citizens.
Source:
https://amp.dw.com/en/colombia-truck-bomb-helicopter-downing-kill-at-least-17/a-73726663
