Bomb Attack Kills 14 In Southwest Colombia Ahead Of Election

A bomb attack on a major highway in southwest Colombia killed 14 people and injured 38 others, according to international media reports.

The explosion occurred Saturday evening on the Pan-American Highway in a restive region, destroying buses and vehicles and overturning several cars due to the severity of the blast.

Agence France-Presse reported the attack comes ahead of Colombia's upcoming presidential election, raising concerns over security and political stability.

President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack on X, calling those responsible“terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers.”

The bombing follows a separate attack on a military base in Cali a day earlier, which injured two people and triggered a wave of violence across Valle del Cauca and Cauca regions.

Southwest Colombia has long faced insecurity linked to armed groups, narcotics trafficking, and weak state control in rural areas.

Security analysts warn that election periods in Colombia often see increased violence, as illegal armed groups attempt to assert influence or disrupt the political process.

Authorities have heightened security measures nationwide, but the persistant attacks highlight ongoing challenges in stabilizing conflict-affected regions despite government efforts.

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