At least 11 people were injured when a truck packed with explosives detonated next to a Colombian police station in the northern city of Cucuta, near the border with Venezuela.
George Quintero, the security secretary for the department of Norte de Santander, stated that the casualties included eight police officers and three civilians.
Atrocious, violent act... and what happened is regrettable
— George Quintero, security secretary for Norte de Santander
The bombing takes place six days before the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who is scheduled to take office on Aug. 7 in Cali.
Abelardo de la Espriella, a millionaire lawyer, condemned the bombing and stated that terrorism will not intimidate Colombia.
The President-elect has repeatedly alleged a plot to assassinate him.
more than $32,000 USD
Reward offered by authorities for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the bombing
Security and Political Context
The inauguration of Abelardo de la Espriella will involve a security deployment of approximately 11,000 soldiers and police officers.
The right-wing President-elect will succeed Gustavo Petro, the first leftist president in Colombia's history.
Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged to pursue a harsh crackdown on rebel groups and criminal organisations, promising to intensify the fight against guerrillas and drug-trafficking organizations with the support of US President Donald Trump.
He also plans to forge a military alliance with the United States and Israel.
Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine.
Current President Gustavo Petro is visiting Havana, Cuba, to speak with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
The discussions in Cuba concern the US policy of strangulation against the island and attacks by the Trump administration on vessels in the Caribbean allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
Updates
The detonation, which originated from a truck parked outside the police headquarters in Norte de Santander, killed a police dog and caused significant damage to the building's roof and windows. Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the attack, while the Director of Police, General William Rincon, described the blast as a 'vile terrorist attack.' There is currently a dispute regarding whether Minister Sanchez offered a US$60,000 reward for information leading to those responsible.
The explosion, which originated from a truck parked outside the Norte de Santander police headquarters and killed a police dog, caused significant damage to the building's roof and windows. Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez blamed the ELN for the attack, while Police Director General William Rincon condemned the incident as a 'vile terrorist attack.' Additionally, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged to cancel peace talks with remaining rebel factions and use increased military force against the ELN.
The explosion, which originated from a truck parked outside the Norte de Santander police headquarters, killed a police dog and caused significant damage to the building's roof and windows. Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the attack, while the Director of Police, General William Rincon, condemned the blast as a 'vile terrorist attack.' Although there are disputed reports regarding a potential US$60,000 reward offered by Minister Sanchez, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged to cancel peace talks with remaining rebel factions and increase military force.
The explosion, caused by a truck parked outside the Norte de Santander police headquarters, killed a police dog and caused significant structural damage to the building. Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the attack, while some reports dispute that the number of wounded has risen to 14. Additionally, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged to cancel peace talks and use increased military force against the ELN.
