Colombia hit by multiple explosive attacks following presidential inauguration
One day after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as President of Colombia, a series of coordinated explosive attacks struck multiple regions of the country.
In the northeast, a drone attack targeting the San Roque police substation in the Cesar department killed Sub-lieutenant Argemiro Rodelo Canchila, a veteran officer of 18 years. In the southwest, a car bomb detonated at a toll station on the Pan-American Highway near Santander de Quilichao, injuring two security guards. The army suspects FARC dissident groups, specifically the Dagoberto Ramos and Jaime Martínez factions, are responsible.
Other reported incidents include an explosion at a toll booth under construction between Popayán and Cali, and a drone attack against the Porce III police station in Antioquia, which the governor of Antioquia attributed to FARC's Front 36.
In response to the violence, President De la Espriella has ordered the immediate transfer of 117 high-risk inmates from the Itagüí prison to other facilities and vowed to use full force to combat criminal organizations and drug cartels.
Entities: Abelardo De La Espriella · Argemiro Rodelo Canchila · Colombia · Colombian National Police · Dagoberto Ramos · Elsa Noguera · FARC · Jaime Martínez
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Condemned the terrorist attacks and warned there will be no leniency for those responsible. (Abelardo de la Espriella)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Two security guards were slightly injured in the Pan-American Highway toll station explosion. (Colombian Army)
- [● 2 SOURCES] An explosive attack destroyed a toll booth under construction between Popayán and Cali. (Colombian Government)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Suspects FARC dissident groups are responsible for several explosive attacks. (Colombian Army)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Reported a drone attack against the Porce III police station in Guadalupe, Antioquia, allegedly carried out by FARC's Front 36. (Andrés Julián Rendón)
- [● 2 SOURCES] A car bomb exploded at a toll station on the Pan-American Highway near Santander de Quilichao. (Colombian Army)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Confirmed the death of sub-lieutenant Argemiro Rodelo Canchila following a drone attack on the San Roque police substation in Cesar. (Colombian Ministry of Defense)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ordered the immediate transfer of 117 high-risk inmates to other prisons. (Abelardo de la Espriella)