Guerrilla dissident group claims wave of Colombian attacks

BSS
Published On: 14 Jun 2025, 08:22

BOGOTÁ, June 14, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A Colombian armed group comprised of ex-guerrillas who rejected a 2016 peace deal, claimed responsibility Friday for a wave of bomb and shooting attacks that killed seven people this week.

Two police officers and five civilians died and 28 people were injured in the attacks on Tuesday in the country's southwest.

On Friday, in a video sent to a journalists' chat, a man describing himself as commander Marlon Vasquez claimed responsibility on behalf the so-called Central General Staff (EMC).

Dressed in camouflage and surrounded by guerrillas with rifles, he said the attacks came "in the midst of the commemoration of the 61 years of struggle" of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), founded in June 1964.

The FARC -- the country's biggest rebel group -- signed a deal with the government in 2016 and laid down its arms.

But some groups rejected the demobilization process and regrouped in two structures: Segunda Marquetalia and the EMC, the biggest of the dissident groups.

Colombia is experiencing its biggest security crisis in a decade.

On Tuesday, the country was rocked by a string of coordinated attacks across the southwest, where government forces are fighting FARC dissidents.

Authorities reported 24 attacks, but the EMC said there were 40.

The group meanwhile denied any involvement in the shooting on Saturday of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, who remains in a critical condition.

His alleged shooter, a 15-year-old, and a man alleged to have been involved in the "logistics" of the attack, are under arrest.

 

  • Latest
  • Most Viewed
ICT-1 sets Oct 26 for probe report on AL-era disappearances, killings
Rajshahi Hi-Tech Park to create jobs for 3,000 youths
Head, Marsh, Green hit centuries as Australia make 431-2 in 3rd South Africa ODI
Krishok Dal leader Babul gets bail in subversion case
Rizvi cautions leaders, activists over fake facebook post
26 parties submit opinions after reviewing July charter
Ukraine marks Independence Day with drone strikes on Russia
EC begins hearing on objections to parliamentary seat boundaries
Pujara announces retirement from Indian cricket
Rizvi urges recovery of illegal arms ahead of national polls
১০