A bomb truck exploded early this Saturday next to a police station in Cúcuta, a city in northeastern Colombia, leaving at least 11 injured: eight police officers and three civilians.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
The attack occurs just six days before the presidential inauguration of the right-wing Abelardo de la Espriella, who immediately reacted on X with a strong condemnation of the incident.
"I firmly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack carried out in Cúcuta against our National Police [...] Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia nor will it bend the will of Colombians to live in peace and security," he wrote.
The elected leader also promised consequences for the perpetrators.
“Those responsible must be identified, captured, and brought to justice with the full force of the law. To our heroes in the Public Force: you are not alone. Colombia and the tiger support you. Stand firm for the Fatherland!”, he added.
The attack occurs while the outgoing president, Gustavo Petro, is in Havana on an official visit to the Cuban regime.
As of the publication of this note, Petro has not commented on what happened. However, former candidate Iván Cepeda Castro has spoken out.
"Above any political differences, controversy, or public confrontation, respect for the life and safety of individuals must always prevail. I strongly condemn terrorist attacks or plans directed against the population, the Public Force, political acts of the opposition, or the inauguration of Abelardo de la Espriella," wrote Cepeda.
And he added:
"Violence is never a justifiable instrument of political action nor a means to resolve differences in a democracy. I trust that the investigation conducted by the authorities will fully clarify these events, identify all those responsible, and ensure that they are brought to justice in strict compliance with the law."
From Cúcuta, the director of the National Police, General William Rincón, condemned the terrorist attack against the institution's command, which resulted in 11 officers being injured.
He confirmed that the bomb truck was loaded with 15 explosive devices and stated that they are already on the trail of those responsible.
The Attack: What We Know
Journalists from the AFP agency confirmed on-site the burning vehicle, destroyed facades, and a significant deployment of security forces.
Cúcuta is located about 400 kilometers from Bogotá, near the border with Venezuela.
George Quintero, Secretary of Security for the Norte de Santander department, confirmed the assessment to the press: "It is a horrific, violent act [...] and it is regrettable what happened."
Authorities are offering a reward of over $32,000 for information leading to the capture of those responsible.
The attack is part of what authorities describe as the worst wave of violence in the last decade in Colombia, the world's largest producer of cocaine.
A country in transition and under maximum alert
De la Espriella, a millionaire lawyer of the far right, will take office on August 7 in Cali, a city he chose himself instead of the traditional location of Congress in Bogotá.
The inauguration will feature a security deployment of approximately 11,000 soldiers and police officers with ground, air, and maritime operations.
The guerrillas have issued warnings to the elected president, who has denounced on several occasions the existence of a plan to take his life.
With the support of the government of Donald Trump, De la Espriella promised to intensify the fight against rebels and drug traffickers, and plans to forge a military alliance with the United States and Israel.
The change in government also signifies a radical diplomatic shift regarding Cuba.
While Petro chose the island as his final destination in a demonstration of ideological affinity, De la Espriella announced on July 27 the total break of diplomatic relations with Cuba and Nicaragua, which he characterized as "tyrannies," and the closure of 14 Colombian embassies as a first step.
If it takes place on August 7, it would be the third diplomatic break between Colombia and Cuba in history, following those of 1961 and 1981.
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