14 Killed in Highway Bombing in Colombia

A roadside bombing on a major highway in southwestern Colombia has killed at least 14 people and injured 38 others, in an attack authorities blame on dissident fighters from the former FARC guerrilla movement.

The incident marks one of the deadliest episodes of recent violence ahead of Colombia’s presidential election.

The explosion occurred on Saturday along the Pan-American Highway in the municipality of Cajibío in Cauca province, a region long affected by armed conflict and criminal activity. 

According to local reports, an explosive device fell onto a minibus before detonating, causing widespread destruction and multiple vehicle casualties.

Regional Governor Octavio Guzmán described the blast as a “tragedy” and warned of a growing “terrorist escalation” in the area. Images shared on social media showed burnt-out vehicles, overturned cars, and a large crater torn into the roadway, highlighting the force of the explosion.

President Gustavo Petro attributed responsibility to Iván Mordisco, a prominent dissident commander of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who rejected the 2016 peace agreement. Petro accused the attackers of being “terrorists, fascists and drug traffickers,” linking them to ongoing armed instability in the region.

Security officials reported that the attack is part of a wider wave of violence targeting infrastructure across Cauca and Valle del Cauca, with at least 26 incidents recorded in just two days. The Colombian Armed Forces said civilians have been the primary victims of the coordinated attacks.

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez was deployed to the region alongside senior officials to assess the security situation following multiple recent explosions. The escalation comes just weeks before the May 31 presidential election, where security has emerged as a central campaign issue.

Opposition presidential candidate Paloma Valencia condemned the government’s response, calling for stronger military and police action.

She warned that failing to address the violence was undermining state authority and demanded immediate operational results to restore public safety in affected regions.