17 Killed in Car Bomb & Attack on Helicopter in Colombia
Colombia has been rocked by a devastating attack that has claimed the lives of at least 17 people. The attack, which occurred on Thursday, involved a car bomb explosion and a separate attack on a police helicopter. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, with many left reeling from the tragedy.
According to reports, the car bomb exploded in the town of El Tarra, in the northeastern department of Norte de Santander. The blast caused widespread destruction, with multiple buildings damaged or destroyed. The attack was followed by a separate incident in which a police helicopter was shot down, killing around 12 police officers.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro was quick to condemn the attacks, attributing them 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 prominent rebel groups in Colombia, and while it has been involved in peace talks and disarmament efforts in recent years, some of its former members have refused to lay down their arms.
The attack on the helicopter is believed to have occurred in the town of El Alto, in the same department as the car bomb explosion. The police aircraft was reportedly on a mission to provide support to ground forces in the area when it was struck by gunfire. The 12 police officers who lost their lives in the attack were all members of the elite police unit, the Policia Nacional.
The car bomb explosion, which occurred earlier in the day, was reportedly caused by a vehicle packed with explosives that was detonated in the town center. The blast caused widespread destruction, with multiple buildings damaged or destroyed. Witnesses reported seeing people fleeing the area, with many suffering from injuries.
The Colombian government has vowed to take swift action to apprehend those responsible for the attacks. President Petro has called for calm and urged the public to remain vigilant, warning that the country is at a critical moment in its fight against terrorism.
The attacks come at a sensitive time for Colombia, which is still reeling from a devastating earthquake that struck the country last week. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.2, caused widespread destruction and loss of life, with many people still missing.
The Colombian government has been working to rebuild and recover from the earthquake, but the attacks have added a new layer of complexity to the situation. The country’s security forces are still working to secure the area and identify the victims of the attack.
In a statement, the Colombian President’s office said: “The government condemns these senseless acts of terrorism and expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The government will spare no effort to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these attacks.”
The attacks have also been widely condemned by international leaders, with many calling for an end to violence in Colombia. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, issued a statement expressing his outrage at the attacks, saying: “The Secretary-General condemns these senseless acts of violence and urges all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
The FARC, which was once one of the largest and most powerful rebel groups in Colombia, has been involved in peace talks with the government since 2012. The group has agreed to disarm and demobilize its fighters, but some of its former members have refused to lay down their arms.
The attacks are the latest in a series of violent incidents to hit Colombia in recent years. The country has been plagued by violence and instability since the 1950s, with various rebel groups and drug cartels vying for power.
The situation is complex and multifaceted, with many different actors and interests at play. However, one thing is clear: the attacks on Thursday are a wake-up call for Colombia, and highlight the need for sustained and effective efforts to combat terrorism and promote peace and stability in the country.
Source:
https://amp.dw.com/en/colombia-truck-bomb-helicopter-downing-kill-at-least-17/a-73726663
