Governor Octavio Guzman said Cauca "cannot continue facing this barbarity alone" after an explosive device on the Pan-American Highway in the El Tunel sector of Cajibio killed at least seven people and wounded 20 on Saturday.

The attack and immediate response

The explosion struck the Pan-American Highway in the El Tunel area of Cajibio, a mountainous sector of Cauca, killing at least seven people and injuring 20, regional authorities said. Video shared by Governor Octavio Guzman showed ambulances and wreckage on the roadway as emergency services reached the wounded and worked to clear the route.

Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez was convening a security council in Cali when the blast occurred, signalling an immediate national-level coordination of military, police and civil agencies to manage the incident and any wider security implications.

Who authorities blame

Colombian officials and local leaders tied the attack to criminal groups formed by FARC dissidents — fighters who rejected the 2016 peace agreement and later organised into armed bands. President Gustavo Petro blamed powerful criminal networks and singled out a dissident leader identified by the alias Ivan Mordisco, calling for intensified international action against the group.

Regional context and background

Cauca has long experienced clashes involving armed groups, including dissident FARC factions that engage in territorial control, illicit economies and armed intimidation. Governor Guzman warned the province 'cannot continue facing this barbarity alone' and urged sustained action from Bogota.

Local authorities noted a recent uptick in violent incidents across multiple municipalities, which helps explain the swift convening of security coordination at departmental and national levels.

Human and logistic impact

The immediate human toll includes confirmed fatalities, dozens wounded and families requiring urgent medical care and support. First-responder video showed vehicles stalled and wreckage on the highway, underlining the logistical challenges of reaching rural and mountainous communities.

  • Disrupted road movement affected travel and goods transport along a major corridor linking southwest communities.
  • Closures or persistent insecurity on the route can harm market access for rural producers and daily life for residents.

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President Gustavo Petro called for "the maximum worldwide pursuit against this narco-terrorist group."

This article was created with AI assistance.