At least seven people have been killed and more than 17 injured after an explosive device detonated on a bus traveling through southwest Colombia, in what authorities are calling a terrorist attack amid a surge in regional violence.
The blast occurred along the Pan-American Highway in Cajibío, located in the Cauca department, a region increasingly affected by armed group activity. Local officials confirmed the device exploded while the bus was in motion, causing significant casualties, many of them civilians, including Indigenous residents.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack, describing those responsible as terrorists and linking the violence to drug trafficking networks operating in the area.
Military officials, including General Hugo López, attributed the attack to dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, specifically groups associated with a figure known as “Iván Mordisco.” These factions rejected the 2016 peace agreement and continue to engage in armed conflict across parts of the country.
The bombing is part of a broader wave of violence in southwest Colombia, with at least 26 criminal incidents reported in recent days. These include attempted attacks on public infrastructure, such as a police station in Jamundí and a civil aviation radar facility in El Tambo, where authorities intercepted explosive-laden drones.
Additional incidents on Friday saw vehicles rigged with explosives detonate near military units in Cali and Palmira, causing property damage but no reported injuries.
The escalation has prompted urgent action from government officials, with Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez leading a high-level security response alongside regional authorities. Officials have called for increased military presence, enhanced intelligence operations, and decisive measures to curb the violence.
Authorities say the Cauca and Valle del Cauca regions are strategic corridors for illegal armed groups competing for control of drug trafficking routes, particularly access to the Pacific port of Buenaventura, a key hub for shipments bound for Central America and Europe.
The government has announced a reward exceeding $1 million for information leading to the capture of a suspected regional leader known as “Marlon,” believed to be behind the attacks.
As violence intensifies, Colombian authorities face mounting pressure to restore stability in a region long plagued by armed conflict and organized crime.