Two guerrillas accused of murder in Colombia truck bomb attack

BSS
Published On: 24 Aug 2025, 08:53

BOGOTA, Aug 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Two guerrillas arrested after a truck bomb attack in Cali that killed six civilians and wounded more than 60 face aggravated homicide and other charges, Colombia's prosecutor's office said Saturday.

Thursday's attack in Cali came amid the country's worst security crisis in a decade, occurring on the same day that another guerrilla group killed 13 police officers in the northwest, after shooting down a helicopter with a drone and rifles.

Authorities blamed the attacks on two dissident groups that split from the once-powerful Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in rejection of a 2016 peace accord.

The prosecutor's office said Saturday on X that Walter Yonda and Carlos Obando Aquirre, members of the Jaime Martinez Front of the Central General Staff (EMC), were accused of aggravated homicide.

If convicted, they could face 50 years behind bars.

The pair were accused of transporting and activating two trucks carrying cylinders of ammonium nitrate-based explosives and mortar grenades.

One of the vehicles blew up Thursday in front of a military aviation school in Cali, Colombia's third most populous city.

President Gustavo Petro announced Friday on X that Jaime Martinez member Diomar Mancilla had been captured after participating "in the attack on the civilian population."

Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters Saturday the government was deploying all resources to "neutralize threats" in the country.

He met with law enforcement officials in northwest Colombia's Antioquia department to coordinate the fight against dissident guerrilla groups, paramilitaries and cartels profiting from drug trafficking, extortion and illegal mining.

Guerrillas have been blamed for dozens of recent attacks, including the assassination of a conservative presidential candidate.

 

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