A wave of bombings and shootings in southwestern Colombia has left at least seven people dead, with two police officers among those killed. The attacks targeted cities like Cali, which was described as “back to 1989” due to the high levels of cartel violence.
Car bombs, motorcycle bombs, and rifle fire were used in the attacks, which have raised concerns about an escalating security crisis in the country. Authorities linked some of the attacks to a faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), but BBC verification was not possible.
Police stations, municipal buildings, and civilian targets were hit, with reports suggesting 28-50 people were injured. The Colombian Ministry of Defence reported 19 attacks across the Cauca region.
The violence is believed to be a “desperate reaction” by illegal armed groups to government operations that have dismantled their illicit structures. This comes days after an attempted assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in Bogota.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdd2vn0j3gvo