{"id":58703,"date":"2026-04-25T15:21:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T19:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/authorities-in-southwest-colombia-are-on-alert-after-a-spate-of-violent-attacks-on-infrastructure\/25\/04\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T15:21:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T19:21:02","slug":"authorities-in-southwest-colombia-are-on-alert-after-a-spate-of-violent-attacks-on-infrastructure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/authorities-in-southwest-colombia-are-on-alert-after-a-spate-of-violent-attacks-on-infrastructure\/25\/04\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Authorities in southwest Colombia are on alert after a spate of violent attacks on infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BOGOT\u00c1, Colombia (AP) \u2014 Authorities in southwest Colombia<\/a> were on high alert Saturday following a spate of explosive attacks and thwarted attempts to target public infrastructure.<\/p>\n

No one was injured in the assaults, which included a shooting at a police station in the rural area of Jamundi, and an attack on a Civil Aviation radar facility in El Tambo, where authorities took down three explosives-laden drones.<\/p>\n

On Friday, two vehicles rigged with explosives were detonated near military units in Cali and Palmira, causing material damage.<\/p>\n

The escalation of violence in that region \u2014 a territory contested by illegal armed groups linked to drug trafficking \u2014 prompted the mobilization of high-ranking officials on Saturday. Led by Defense Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, the delegation which includes regional governors and local authorities, met in Palmira.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese criminals seek to instill fear, but we will respond with firmness,\u201d S\u00e1nchez wrote on X.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Francisca Toro, governor of Valle del Cauca, called upon the national government to provide \u201cimmediate support.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a message posted on X, Toro called for a reinforcement of public security forces, enhanced intelligence operations and \u201cdecisive actions\u201d against crime in the face of a \u201cterrorist-level escalation.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to authorities, Cauca and Valle del Cauca serve as a critical hub for illicit activities of illegal armed groups. These groups are vying for control over maritime and riverine access routes leading to the port of Buenaventura \u2014 a key transit point used to traffic drugs to Central America and Europe.<\/p>\n

The government has blamed the attacks on the Jaime Mart\u00ednez faction, a dissident group of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, operating in the region that did not adhere to the peace accord signed with the state in 2016.<\/p>\n

The government also is offering a reward of more than a million dollars for information leading to the capture of \u201cMarlon,\u201d who is identified as the leader of the dissident group in that region.<\/p>\n

The previous day, local authorities offered more than $14,000 for information leading to the identification and location of those responsible for the attacks in Cali and Palmira.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Authorities in southwest Colombia were on high alert Saturday following a spate of explosive attacks and thwarted attempts