Cauca explosion on Pan-American Highway kills seven and wounds 20 as officials demand decisive action
Seven killed and 20 wounded in a suspected bombing on the Pan-American Highway in Cauca. Leaders demand decisive action and global pursuit of suspects.
At least seven people were killed and 20 others injured in a suspected explosive attack on the Pan-American Highway in the Cauca region, authorities said. The Cauca explosion occurred in the El Tunel sector of the municipality of Cajibio on Saturday and struck vehicles traveling the major artery. Regional officials immediately called for a stronger, sustained government response to what they described as an escalation of violence against civilians.
Blast strikes Pan-American Highway in Cajibio
The device detonated on a stretch of road used by commuters and commercial traffic, leaving mangled vehicles and debris across the carriageway. Emergency responders were on site within minutes, treating the wounded and moving the dead to nearby facilities. Local rescue workers said ambulances and medical teams coordinated to clear the scene and transport those in serious condition to hospitals.
Witnesses reported a powerful blast that shattered windows and scattered belongings along the highway, creating a chaotic scene that persisted for hours. Authorities have restricted access to the area as investigators documented evidence to determine the nature and origin of the explosive. Roads in the immediate vicinity were closed while forensic teams and police conducted preliminary examinations.
Governor demands decisive and sustained government response
Governor Octavio Guzman publicly condemned the attack and called it an indiscriminate assault on the civilian population. He appealed for what he termed a decisive and sustained response from national authorities to curb a rising wave of violence in the region. Guzman also said the emotional toll on communities was severe and warned that local resources alone were insufficient to confront the threat.
The governor reported that related violent incidents had been recorded in other municipalities including El Tambo, Caloto, Popayan, Guachene, Mercaderes, and Miranda. His administration urged increased troop deployments and operational support to protect civilian routes and critical infrastructure. Regional officials said they would provide lists of priorities to the national government during follow up security meetings.
Video and on‑scene accounts show heavy damage
A video circulated by the governor’s office showed ambulances at the scene and crushed vehicles strewn across the highway, matching descriptions from first responders. The footage captured emergency crews loading injured passengers into stretchers and attempting to move survivors from wreckage. Local residents expressed shock and fear as they described the scene as unprecedented in recent weeks.
Photographs and witness statements will be used by investigators to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify whether the device targeted a specific vehicle or was intended to terrorize road users generally. Officials cautioned that while the visual material is compelling, forensic analysis must confirm the explosive type and trigger mechanism. Forensic teams are expected to provide initial findings as they complete their on‑site work.
National security meeting convened in Cali during attacks
The incident occurred while the national Minister of Defence, Pedro Sanchez, was convening a security council in the regional capital of Cali to assess mounting instability. Officials said the meeting was expanded in response to the new attack and to coordinate a multiagency operational plan. Defence authorities pledged to intensify patrols and checkpoint operations along key transit routes.
Security sources said military and police commanders will share intelligence and consider joint operations to target the groups believed responsible. Authorities also indicated that reinforcements could be moved into Cauca from neighboring departments to secure vulnerable population centers and highways. Officials emphasized the need for coordinated action between national forces and local administrations.
Suspected FARC dissidents linked to broader wave of violence
Security authorities attributed the attack to criminal groups formed by dissident members of the former FARC guerrilla movement who rejected the 2016 peace agreement. Investigators said the latest explosion follows a series of incidents on the previous day that officials have linked to the same networks. These groups are suspected of using violence to control territory and intimidate communities that resist criminal activity.
President Gustavo Petro said powerful criminal actors are trying to impose control through fear and named a suspected leader known by the alias Ivan Mordisco as a principal target for investigation. The president called for intensified pressure on narco‑terrorist networks and urged international cooperation to disrupt their financial and logistical channels. Analysts said that dismantling these groups will require sustained law enforcement operations and improved local governance.
Government calls for international pursuit of suspects
In remarks following the attack the president demanded the maximum worldwide pursuit of the narco‑terrorist groups believed responsible. He urged partners to assist with intelligence sharing, extradition where applicable, and disruption of cross‑border drug trafficking routes. Government officials said they will seek to coordinate with regional law enforcement and foreign counterparts as part of a comprehensive response.
Authorities also indicated plans to expand protective measures for civilian infrastructure and public transportation routes while investigations continue. Humanitarian and municipal officials stressed the need for psychosocial support in affected communities as recovery and cleanup efforts proceed. The national government said it will present a detailed action plan once initial forensic and intelligence reports are completed.
The investigation remains active and details could change as officials recover evidence and interview witnesses. Local leaders reiterated their call for rapid and sustained measures to restore security and protect civilians living along the Pan‑American Highway.
