An explosive device kills 13 and injures 38 on a bus in southwestern Colombia as violence persists

Key Points:

• An explosive device detonated on a bus in southwestern Colombia's Cauca region, killing 13 people and injuring at least 38, including five children, amid escalating drug trafficking-related violence.
• Colombia's army chief labeled the incident a "terrorist act," attributing responsibility to dissident groups linked to the now-defunct FARC, specifically the network of "Iván Mordisco" and the Jaime Martínez faction.
• The attack occurred amid a series of violent incidents targeting public infrastructure in the region, including drone attacks on a radar facility and explosions near military units, all causing civilian harm or material damage.
• Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack, calling the perpetrators terrorists and drug traffickers, while officials, including Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, vowed a firm response to the violence.
• Authorities highlighted the strategic importance of Cauca and Valle del Cauca for illegal armed groups trafficking drugs through the port of Buenaventura and have offered significant rewards for information leading to the capture of key dissident leaders.