7 Dead and 28 Injured in Series of Bombings Across Colombia, 3 Days After Attempted Assassination of Presidential Candidate

A wave of coordinated bombings and armed attacks struck southwestern Colombia on Tuesday, leaving at least seven people dead and 28 others injured, authorities said. The violence occurred just three days after an attempted assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, raising national security concerns ahead of the country’s upcoming election.

The attacks targeted multiple municipalities across the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca, including Cali, Jamundí, Palmira, and Buenaventura. Officials said the explosions and shootings were primarily aimed at police stations and military checkpoints, though civilians were also caught in the crossfire.

“This was a coordinated act of terror,” said Colombian Defense Minister Iván Velásquez during a press conference on Wednesday. “The evidence points directly to the FARC dissident faction known as the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), which has rejected the 2016 peace accords.”

The National Police confirmed that at least 24 incidents occurred throughout Tuesday evening, involving car bombs, motorcycle bombs, and explosive devices thrown at security installations.

Among the seven dead were two police officers and five civilians. The fallen officers were identified as Jair Gonzalo Gurrete Bolaños and Duván Andrés Ramírez Cárdenas. Nineteen of the 28 injured were civilians, including children, while the remaining nine were members of security forces.

Footage released by local media showed burning vehicles and shattered windows near a police substation in Caloto, Cauca. Authorities have since launched a joint military-police security operation across the region to locate those responsible.

The attacks come in the immediate aftermath of an assassination attempt on presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, who was shot three times on June 7 during a campaign rally in Bogotá. He remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Police arrested a 14-year-old suspected gunman at the scene.

Officials have not confirmed a direct connection between the bombing spree and the attempt on Uribe’s life, but security analysts note the timing is unlikely to be coincidental.

“This escalation represents a deliberate attempt to destabilize the country ahead of the elections,” said Ana María Restrepo, a political violence researcher at Universidad del Rosario. “We’re seeing a resurgence of tactics used by guerrilla groups during Colombia’s most violent years.”

The Colombian government has pinned blame on the EMC faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which rejected the 2016 peace deal and has since regrouped in rural strongholds, particularly in the southwest.

The Jaime Martínez column of the EMC is believed to be behind the latest attacks, authorities said. The government has offered a 300 million peso (about $75,000 USD) reward for information leading to the group’s leaders.

“This is a tragedy,” said Mayor Alejandro Eder of Cali. “They want us to return to the horrors of 1989. We will not allow it.”

The bombings have reignited criticism of President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” strategy, which aimed to negotiate ceasefires with all armed groups in Colombia. Opponents argue that the approach has emboldened dissident factions while leaving vulnerable regions under protected.

The Defense Ministry has since deployed additional troops to Cauca and Valle del Cauca, and lawmakers are calling for an emergency review of national security protocols.

“This is a defining moment for the country,” said Senator María Fernanda Cabal. “If the state does not regain control, the upcoming elections could be held under siege.”

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, community leaders in affected towns have begun organizing vigils for the victims.

The Office of the Attorney General has confirmed it is collecting forensic evidence from each blast site and examining communication intercepts tied to known FARC dissident operatives.

Colombian citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to national security hotlines.