Cauca explosion on Pan‑American Highway kills seven, wounds 20 in suspected bombing
At least seven people were killed and 20 wounded in a suspected explosive attack on the Pan‑American Highway in the Cauca region of Colombia, authorities said on April 25, 2026.
Explosion on Pan‑American Highway in Cauca kills seven
A device detonated on the Pan‑American Highway in the El Tunel sector of Cajibio on Saturday, killing seven and injuring 20, regional officials reported. Rescue teams and ambulances arrived on scene amid smashed vehicles and debris that blocked the roadway, according to regional briefings. The incident has been described by local authorities as an indiscriminate attack on civilians that has intensified fears among residents across Cauca.
Local authorities describe chaotic aftermath and casualties
Governor Octavio Guzman released footage from the scene showing emergency responders treating the wounded and clearing wreckage, and he said the human toll was weighing heavily on the community. Hospitals in the provincial capital and nearby towns activated trauma protocols to receive multiple casualties, and medical personnel asked for supplies and logistical support. Officials have not released the identities of the deceased pending family notification and forensic confirmation.
Governor demands decisive government response to alleged terror campaign
In a public statement, Governor Guzman urged the national government to mount a “decisive, sustained” response to what he called a campaign of violence affecting multiple municipalities in Cauca. He named several localities where related actions were reported in recent days, including El Tambo, Caloto, Popayán, Guachené, Mercaderes and Miranda. The governor’s appeal emphasized that regional authorities cannot confront the escalation alone and called for immediate reinforcements and intelligence support.
Security council convened in Cali as ministers assess situation
Minister of Defence Pedro Sánchez convened a security council in Cali on Saturday to evaluate the regional situation and coordinate a response to the series of attacks. Federal security officials, provincial leaders and military commanders were reported to be reviewing operational plans, force posture and intelligence on suspected perpetrators. The meeting was intended to align troop deployments and increase protection for key transport routes and population centers in Cauca.
Government publicly links attack to FARC dissidents and a suspected leader
President Gustavo Petro attributed the bombing to powerful criminal groups that he said are using terror to control communities, and he specifically pointed to dissident elements that split from the former FARC insurgency after the 2016 peace accord. Authorities named a suspected narcotrafficker and dissident commander known by the alias Iván Mordisco as a key figure the government aims to pursue. President Petro called for intensified international cooperation to track and apprehend those he described as part of a narco‑terrorist network.
Security forces and humanitarian agencies mobilize in affected towns
Military and police units increased patrols on major roads and established checkpoints intended to prevent further attacks and safeguard relief convoys. Regional emergency management teams coordinated evacuation and medical triage, while local hospitals appealed for blood donations and additional surgical supplies. Humanitarian groups warned of the psychological impact on communities already battered by months of violence, and social services were mobilized to assist families of victims.
Broader security context in Cauca and recent violence
The explosion is the latest in a string of violent incidents attributed to criminal groups operating in Cauca, a department long affected by territorial disputes among armed actors, drug networks and illegal mining interests. Since the national peace agreement with the FARC in 2016, dissident factions have continued to contest control of smuggling routes and local economies, leading to periodic spikes of attacks against civilians and security forces. Analysts say the persistence of these groups complicates state efforts to reestablish stable governance across rural areas.
National and regional officials said they would present operational updates once investigations yield more details about the device used and the perpetrators’ methods. Prosecutors and police units responsible for counterterrorism and organized crime were reported to be collecting evidence at the scene and interviewing witnesses to reconstruct the attack sequence.
International partners were also expected to be briefed on the situation as Bogotá seeks broader cooperation in dismantling transnational criminal networks that operate in border regions and on key trafficking corridors. The president’s call for a “maximum worldwide pursuit” of those suspected in the bombing signals an intent to expand legal and intelligence measures beyond Colombia’s borders.
Immediate priorities for authorities include restoring safe passage on the Pan‑American Highway, ensuring continued medical care for the wounded, and bolstering protection for communities at heightened risk. Investigations remain active, and officials have warned residents to report suspicious activity as security forces intensify operations in Cauca and surrounding departments.
