14 People Were Killed in a Terrorist Attack on the Pan-American Highway in Colombia

Fourteen people were killed in an explosion on the Pan-American Highway in Colombia.

The terrorist attack took place in the Cauca department in the country’s south-west—an explosive device had been planted on a bus. The blast wave destroyed and damaged dozens of vehicles within a radius of up to 100 metres. In addition to those killed, at least 38 people were injured.

Colombian president Gustavo Petro blamed the attack on the far-left Jaime Martinez group.

The group was formed by former members of FARC, the organisation that waged an armed struggle against the authorities for more than 50 years. In 2016, FARC signed a disarmament agreement and shifted into political activity, but some fighters refused to lay down their arms and continued operating in separate groups.

The attack came as the country prepares for presidential elections scheduled for May 31. In the run-up to the vote, the activity of radical groups in the country has risen markedly.