13 dead, 38 hurt in Colombia bus blast

Bogota: An explosive device killed 13 people travelling on a bus in Colombia on Saturday. The country’s army chief described the incident as a “terrorist act” that left at least 38 people, including five kids, injured. The blast occurred in the municipality of Cajibio along Panamerican Highway.

General Hugo Lopez, commander of Colombia’s Armed Forces, blamed the Jaime Martínez faction and the network of Ivan Mordisco, both being dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The groups did not join the 2016 peace deal and are active in the region. 

President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack on X, describing the perpetrators as terrorists and drug traffickers who targeted civilians and Indigenous people.

The explosion is the latest in a series of 26 violent incidents reported in southwestern Colombia over the past two days. Other attacks included a shooting at a police station in Jamundi and an attempt to destroy a radar facility in El Tambo using explosives-laden drones. On Friday, two vehicle bombs were detonated near military units in Cali and Palmira.

Authorities have offered a reward exceeding $1 million for information leading to the arrest of a dissident leader known as “Marlon.” 

A separate reward of $14,000 has been announced for information on the individuals responsible for the Friday bombings in Cali and Palmira.

—AP