Colombia highway bomb attack kills 19

Key Points:

• A bomb attack on the Pan-American Highway in southwestern Colombia's Cauca province killed 19 people and injured at least 38, including five children, with an explosive cylinder detonating on a minibus.
• Authorities, including President Gustavo Petro, blamed Ivan Mordisco, a former FARC dissident and one of Colombia's most wanted criminals, for orchestrating the attack, labeling him a terrorist and drug trafficker.
• The incident is part of a recent surge in attacks targeting public infrastructure in the region, with at least 26 explosions reported over two days in Valle del Cauca and Cauca departments, prompting government officials to assess the security situation.
• The attacks come just weeks before Colombia's presidential election on May 31, where security is a major campaign issue, with opposition candidate Paloma Valencia demanding stronger action and support for the armed forces.
• Governor Octavio Guzman described the bombing as a "tragedy" and warned of escalating terrorism, with visuals showing extensive vehicle damage and a large crater on the highway.