An explosion from a roadside bomb near a busy Colombia highway has resulted in the death of seven individuals and left 20 others wounded. The tragic incident occurred on the Pan-American highway in the southwestern region of the country, with images depicting the aftermath shared widely on social media.

The governor of Cauca state, Octavio Guzmán, condemned the attack as an indiscriminate assault on civilians. Guzmán stated that the explosive device was detonated in the El Túnel sector of Cajibío, leading to the deaths of seven civilians and causing more than 17 severe injuries, as per initial reports. Subsequent updates confirmed that the number of injured individuals rose to 20. Guzmán described the attack as a heartbreaking event that deeply affected the region and its families.

This incident is part of a series of violent acts attributed to dissident members of the former guerrilla group FARC, who rejected a peace agreement with the government in 2016. These dissidents are reportedly attempting to disrupt the ongoing peace negotiations with President Gustavo Petro.

Security concerns have become a prominent issue ahead of the presidential election on May 31, following another bomb attack on a military base in Cali that injured two individuals. Governor Guzmán expressed profound sorrow over the situation and called for immediate action to address the escalating crisis in public order.

Highlighting the urgent need for intervention, Guzmán emphasized the strain on the healthcare system, the uncertain state of the Pan-American Highway, and the ongoing efforts of the security forces to combat the violence. He underscored the recent incidents in various locations and condemned the attacks as a direct assault on innocent lives and the stability of the state.

The governor’s plea for effective measures to counter the terrorist activities reflects the gravity of the situation and the determination to prevent further fear and chaos caused by violent forces.