Six dead in terror attack near Colombian Air Force base

On Thursday, a devastating car bomb attack occurred near the Marco Fidel Suárez Air Base in Cali, Colombia, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and injuring around 50 others. Local officials reported that the explosion took place at approximately 2:50 p.m., confirming a significant impact on both civilians and military personnel in the vicinity. The Colombian Air Force condemned the attack, labeling it an act of terrorism. President Gustavo Petro publicly stated that two of the deceased were civilians and linked the tragic event to dissident factions led by Iván Mordisco, a commander of former FARC guerrillas. This attack was noted as a retaliatory act against recent governmental military operations within the region. President Petro referred to a coalition of groups, which includes FARC dissidents, the Segunda Marquetalia, and the Gulf Clan, as a 'narcotrafficking junta' and demanded that the world recognize them as terrorists. According to reports, the assault involved at least three vehicles, with two cars exploding and a third found loaded with gas cylinders but not detonated. The violence from the bombing caused extensive destruction, damaging nearby vehicles, including a passenger bus, shattering windows, and scattering debris. Medical teams from Valle del Cauca were immediately dispatched to assist with the injured, as the scale of devastation required urgent medical support. Authorities have begun investigations to apprehend those accountable for the attack, and security operations remain active in Cali to prevent further incidents. The tragic event highlights the ongoing conflict and threats posed by armed groups in Colombia, exacerbated by the history of violence linked to narcotrafficking and guerrilla warfare. The government's condemnation of the incident is part of a broader strategic response to restore safety and security in the region while engaging in military operations against criminal factions.