Bus bombing terror attack claims 14 lives as army announces ‘immediate response’

A grim terror attack has resulted in 14 people losing their lives and many more being injured after a explosive device was denoted inside of a bus as police release statement

A horrific bus terror bombing has claimed the lives of 14 people and injured 38 more after an explosive device was detonated inside a bus. The attack has been deemed a “terror attack” by officials and is suspected to be linked to a sophisticated drug trafficking network.

Horrific photos of the aftermath of the blast have circulated on social media showing overturned vehicles as dust and debris has been scattered across the road. The attack has led the state to declare they will respond to the aggression with a “forceful” and “immediate response.” The horror bombing hit the Pan-American Highway, in the El Tunel sector of Cajibio, Columbia, on Saturday.

Octavio Guzmán, the governor of the Cauca region, has said: “Criminal structures detonated an explosive device on the Pan-American Highway,” resulting in a “seriously injured public service driver.”

He added: “These events are in response to retaliations by criminal structures against the forceful operational actions and the results achieved by our Public Force.”

In a post on X Guzmán said: “This attack not only strikes the region but also constitutes a serious threat to the lives and peace of our communities.” The governor also condemned what he called an “indiscriminate attack” on the civilian population.

During a press conference, General Hugo López, commander of Colombia’s Armed Forces, labelled the attack as a “terrorist act.”

After the incident, the commander of Colombia’s Armed Forces promised to retaliate against those responsible and said: “We are facing a terrorist escalation that demands immediate responses.”

“We demand forceful, sustained and effective action from the national government in the face of the grave ‌public ⁠order crisis we are experiencing.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has lambasted those responsible for the bombing dubbing them “terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers.” The Colombian leader accused the act of terror to be connected to the drug trafficking network of “Iván Mordisco.”

Mordisco is a top Colombian warlord and a political dissident of the now disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

In a furious statement on X, the Colombian president called for the perpetrators of the attack to appear before the International Criminal Court. Petro said: “I want the maximum worldwide pursuit against this narco-terrorist group.”

He added: “I want the UIAF on top of their finances, I want the best soldiers to confront them, I want the Cauca people to free themselves from this mafia, detritus of violence. I want to sign the delayed accusation without reason, to denounce their bosses by name before the International Criminal Court.”

The horrific terror attack is the latest in a series of explosions aimed at targeting public infrastructure in Columbia. Over the last two days, 26 incidents have taken place in southwestern Colombia – all affecting civilians. Two vehicles rigged with explosives were detonated on Friday near military units in Cali and Palmira causing damage to infrastructure.

Following the incident, local authorities offered more than $14,000 for information leading to the identification and location of those behind the attacks.

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