17 Killed in Car Bomb & Attack on Helicopter in Colombia
Colombia has been rocked by a devastating series of attacks, leaving at least 17 people dead and many more injured. On Thursday, a car bomb detonated in the southwestern city of Cali, followed by an attack on a police helicopter in the neighboring department of Cauca. The attacks have been attributed to dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a now-defunct leftist guerrilla group.
The car bomb attack occurred in the morning, when a truck packed with explosives detonated in the city’s center. The blast caused widespread destruction, with buildings damaged and debris scattered across the streets. According to eyewitnesses, the explosion was massive, with the sound of the blast heard blocks away.
Rescue teams were quickly deployed to the scene, and emergency services rushed to evacuate the injured and search for survivors. The local authorities reported that at least 5 people were killed in the blast, with many more left injured.
In a separate incident, a police helicopter was attacked in the department of Cauca, killing around 12 police officers. The helicopter, which was on a mission to transport police personnel to a nearby town, was struck by gunfire, causing it to crash in a nearby field.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro quickly attributed both attacks to dissidents of the FARC, a group that had been engaged in a decades-long conflict with the government. The FARC, which was once one of the largest and most powerful guerrilla groups in Colombia, disarmed and demobilized in 2017 as part of a peace agreement with the government.
However, in recent years, some FARC dissidents have refused to lay down their arms and have instead continued to engage in violent activities. President Petro has vowed to take action to bring the perpetrators to justice and to restore peace to the affected regions.
The attacks have sent shockwaves throughout Colombia, with many expressing outrage and condolences to the families of the victims. The country’s government has pledged to do everything in its power to bring the perpetrators to justice and to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
The attacks have also raised concerns about the ongoing instability in Colombia, which has been plagued by violence and crime in recent years. The country’s government has been working to address these issues, but the attacks are a stark reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead.
As the investigation into the attacks continues, it remains unclear what the motivations behind the attacks were. However, it is clear that they were carried out by a group that is determined to cause harm and destruction.
In the face of such violence, it is more important than ever that the international community stands in solidarity with Colombia and its people. The country has made significant progress in recent years, and it is crucial that we do everything in our power to support its efforts to build a peaceful and stable future.
Source:
https://amp.dw.com/en/colombia-truck-bomb-helicopter-downing-kill-at-least-17/a-73726663
