Explosive device detonated in Cúcuta on Saturday, six days before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella takes office August 7.
3:14 PM
A truck packed with explosives detonated early Saturday near a police station in Cúcuta, Colombia, injuring at least 11 people six days before the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.
The blast occurred around 3:00 a.m. on a dual highway connecting Avenida Libertadores with Cenabastos, in the vicinity of the Norte de Santander police department command. The explosion destroyed building facades in the area near the Venezuelan border.
According to George Quintero, security secretary for the Norte de Santander department, eight police officers and three civilians were injured in the attack. One police dog also died in the blast. Part of the police command facility caught fire.
The attack involved multiple coordinated elements. In addition to the car bomb detonation, assailants launched 16 explosive devices toward the police installations and fired rifle bursts at the rear section of the complex, targeting units in the Esparta area.
The vehicle used in the bombing was able to approach the station without drawing suspicion because it blended in with regular commercial traffic. The area near Cenabastos is a public market where trucks carrying agricultural products arrive in the early morning hours, making the explosive-laden vehicle inconspicuous to authorities.
De la Espriella, who will assume the presidency on August 7 in the city of Cali, condemned the attack in a statement on social media. "I condemn with absolute firmness the cowardly terrorist attack perpetrated in Cúcuta against our National Police. Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia," he said.
The attack has not been claimed by any armed group. The Gobernación of Norte de Santander announced a reward of up to 100 million Colombian pesos, equivalent to more than $32,000, for information leading to the identification and capture of those responsible.
A explosive device detonated on the Panamericana highway in Cauca department Saturday, killing at least seven people and wounding dozens more.
More than 30 attacks in southwestern Colombia killed 21 people and wounded 56 others over the weekend, occurring weeks before the May 31 presidential election.
A 50-year-old man armed with a knife allegedly triggered a fire and explosion at a South Ozone Park home early Thursday, displacing more than a dozen people and injuring multiple police officers.
A man opened fire at Mexico's Teotihuacán archaeological site Monday, killing a Canadian tourist and wounding six others before taking his own life.
Rogers Devia, a former mayor, and aide Eder Cardona were shot by gunmen on motorcycles in Meta department Friday night.
A milk truck collided with 12 vehicles at a toll booth near Bogotá, leaving five dead and 21 injured.