A toll booth under construction on the Pan-American Highway near Cali was destroyed with explosives on Saturday, one day after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as president of Colombia.
The attack occurred in Santander de Quilichao municipality in Cauca department, an area where rebel groups operate under the command of alias Iván Mordisco. Two security guards suffered minor injuries in the blast, which the Colombian army attributed to dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
Government response and security policy
Following the attack, De la Espriella condemned the destruction of infrastructure and pledged that his administration would confront armed groups. Writing on social network X, the far-right leader said attacking national infrastructure damages the progress, mobility, and peace of mind of millions of Colombians. He added a message to those responsible, stating there would be no refuge, no leniency, and no impunity.
The bombing followed inaugural pledges by De la Espriella to relentlessly fight drug terrorism and end peace talks with the country's main armed groups. He reiterated that he will not continue negotiations started by his predecessor, leftist former president Gustavo Petro.
His government has announced an offensive against guerrillas, drug traffickers, and paramilitary organizations, supported by Israel and the United States. The administration also plans to build mega-prisons similar to those in El Salvador.
In a separate incident early Saturday morning, a police officer died in an explosive drone attack on a station in the northern department of Cesar. Authorities have not yet identified the group responsible for that attack.
