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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 17 sources · 15 days · First seen 15 days ago · Last updated about 10 hours ago

Categories: INTERNATIONAL · CRIME

Explosive incidents in Colombia

Entities: FARC dissidents · Cauca · Cali · Abelardo De La Espriella · Mandivá Toll Plaza

Overview

Explosive incidents have been reported in the Colombian departments of Valle del Cauca and Cauca.

In late July, an explosion in the rural La Gloria area of Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, resulted in one death and one injury. Authorities attributed the blast to the mishandling of an IM-M26 type grenade.

On August 8, 2026, an explosive attack targeted the Mandivá toll plaza under construction in the Cachimbal sector of Cauca, on the Pan-American Highway connecting Popayán and Cali. Perpetrators used a white van loaded with explosives, which was abandoned at the scene; the attackers reportedly fled on a motorcycle. The blast caused significant structural damage to the toll infrastructure and necessitated traffic restrictions on the highway.

Two security personnel guarding the site sustained minor injuries. While no group has formally claimed responsibility, the Colombian Army suggested the attack may be linked to FARC dissident factions, specifically the Dagoberto Ramos and Jaime Martinez structures. The incident occurred one day after the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella. Transport Minister Elsa Noguera condemned the event as a terrorist act and pledged to protect national infrastructure projects.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

"The explosion occurred near 2:00 AM in the Cachimbal sector of the Pan-American highway." (unspecified)

vs

"The target was the Mandivá toll plaza, which was under construction in the Mondomo sector." (unspecified)

The claims provide different specific locations for the event, citing the Mandivá toll plaza in the Mondomo sector versus the Cachimbal sector.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[DISPUTED] The target was the Mandivá toll plaza, which was under construction in the Mondomo sector. (unspecified)
[DISPUTED] The explosion occurred near 2:00 AM in the Cachimbal sector of the Pan-American highway. (unspecified)
[● 11 SOURCES] The attack occurred one day after the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella. (unspecified)
[● 10 SOURCES] The Pan-American highway connects the cities of Cali and Popayán. (unspecified)
[● 7 SOURCES] The attack resulted in two security personnel sustaining minor injuries. (unspecified)
[● 6 SOURCES] The Colombian Army alleges the attack was carried out by FARC dissident factions Dagoberto Ramos and Jaime Martinez. (Colombian Army)
[● 4 SOURCES] Traffic on the Pan-American highway was restricted to a single lane following the explosion. (unspecified)
[● 2 SOURCES] The attackers used a white van equipped with explosives, which was later abandoned at the scene. (unspecified)

Timeline

about 10 hours ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 17 sources
Colombia toll plaza destroyed by car bomb in Cauca
A car bomb destroyed a toll plaza under construction on Colombia's Pan-American Highway, injuring two guards. The army attributes the attack to FARC dissidents one day after President De la Espriella's term.
15 days ago

[CRIME] 12 sources
Explosion in Buenaventura's La Gloria kills one and wounds another
A grenade mishandling in La Gloria, Buenaventura (Valle del Cauca) killed one person and injured another; CTI is investigating and authorities pledge tighter rural security.

Sources

baoquangtri.vn · cablenoticias.tv · caraotadigital.net · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · eldiario.com.co · elnuevosiglo.com.co · eltiempomx.com · eltiempove.com · hsbnoticias.com · kajgana.com · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · qhubobucaramanga.com · srnnews.com · trinidadtribune.com · turquesanews.mx · tvn-2.com · winnipegfreepress.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history