A routine bus ride turned into a nightmare straight out of a war zone after a deadly explosion tore through a passenger vehicle in southwestern Colombia — killing at least 13 people and leaving dozens more wounded in what officials are calling a full-blown terrorist attack.
The blast rocked the Pan-American Highway near the municipality of Cajibío on Saturday, sending shockwaves across the region as terrified survivors scrambled for safety. Authorities say at least 38 people were injured, including five children, as the bus was ripped apart mid-journey.
Local officials didn’t mince words. The commander of Colombia’s Armed Forces, General Hugo López, labeled the carnage a “terrorist act,” pointing the finger at a notorious dissident network tied to a feared figure known as “Iván Mordisco” — one of the country’s most wanted men. The group, along with the Jaime Martínez faction, broke away from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia after the 2016 peace deal and has continued fueling violence in the region.
Cauca Governor Octavio Guzmán confirmed the explosive device was detonated while the bus was in motion, turning a busy civilian route into a killing field. Images from the scene showed devastated families embracing near the charred wreckage, underscoring the human toll of the attack.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro blasted those responsible, calling them “terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers” in a fiery statement. He warned that the violence disproportionately impacted civilians, including Indigenous communities caught in the crossfire.
And this wasn’t an isolated incident.
Officials say the region has been under siege, with at least 26 violent incidents reported in just the past two days. These include shootings, attempted drone bombings, and attacks on critical infrastructure — all pointing to a dangerous escalation tied to drug trafficking routes.
In one chilling development, authorities intercepted three explosive-laden drones targeting a Civil Aviation radar facility in El Tambo earlier the same day. Meanwhile, car bombs detonated near military bases in nearby cities like Cali and Palmira, causing widespread damage.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed a forceful response, saying, “These criminals seek to instill fear, but we will respond with firmness.” Regional leaders are now demanding urgent reinforcements as fears grow that the violence could spiral further out of control.
The stakes are high. The areas of Cauca and Valle del Cauca are key battlegrounds for criminal groups fighting to control lucrative drug trafficking corridors leading to the port of Buenaventura — a major gateway for narcotics headed to Central America and Europe.
As the manhunt intensifies, authorities have put up more than $1 million in reward money for information leading to the capture of a shadowy figure known as “Marlon,” believed to be a key leader behind the bloodshed.
For now, shaken communities are left mourning the dead — and bracing for what could come next in a region teetering on the edge.
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