Authorities in the Antioquia department of Colombia have announced a reward of up to 200 million pesos for information leading to the capture of individuals responsible for the arson of an intermunicipal bus. The attack occurred on the night of Friday, August 21, in the Mesopotamia sector within the jurisdiction of La Unión, on the road leading to Sonsón.
According to official reports, armed men wearing uniforms intercepted the Sotransoda company bus and forced passengers to disembark before setting the vehicle on fire. While the attackers identified themselves as guerrilla members, local officials, including the Mayor of La Unión, Carmen Judith Valencia, and Governor Andrés Julián Rendón, have dismissed the presence of guerrilla groups in the area, noting there has been no such presence for approximately 20 years. Officials instead pointed to extortion as the primary motive behind the incident.
In response to the attack, the Colombian Air Force deployed helicopters for surveillance, and security forces, including the National Police and the Army, have reinforced patrols along the La Unión–Sonsón corridor to ensure the safety of travelers and residents.