20 killed, 36 injured in roadside bomb blast in Colombia

A powerful roadside bomb exploded in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, killing 20 people and injuring 36 others, Cauca Governor Octavio Guzman announced on Sunday. “What happened yesterday, April 25, constitutes the most brutal and ruthless attack against the civilian population in decades in the department of Cauca,” Guzman wrote on the US-based social media platform X. He confirmed that 15 women and five men died, while three of the 36 injured remain in intensive care and five minors are no longer in danger.

Attack on rural bus

The explosion occurred when a device planted in a culvert on the Pan-American highway in the municipality of Cajibío was detonated as a traditional rural bus, known as a “chiva,” passed by. The blast’s force also damaged several nearby vehicles. Reports indicated that an explosive device may have been thrown onto the bus before detonating, intensifying the impact. A 200-cubic-meter crater left by the explosion is being repaired, with traffic expected to resume within hours.

Three days of mourning declared

Governor Guzman declared three days of mourning, and a symbolic ceremony will be held for the victims. Authorities are coordinating security measures, humanitarian aid, psychosocial support, and comprehensive assistance for the affected families. Colombian President Gustavo Petro attributed the attack to Iván Mordisco, leader of the EMC faction of the FARC rebel group. The attack underscores ongoing violence in rural Colombia despite peace efforts.