Explosives rip through Colombia tollbooth a day after new president takes office
An armed group attacked the Mondomo tollbooth with explosives on the Pan-American Highway connecting Popayán and Cali in south-western Colombia.
The attack happened at around 2:00 am on Saturday, when several men arrived at the site, planted explosive charges and detonated them, according to local residents.
The structure, also known as the Cachimbal tollbooth, was in the final stage of construction under the Nuevo Cauca concession at kilometre 60 of the dual carriageway between Popayán and Santander de Quilichao.
The explosion caused severe damage to the newly built infrastructure. Two security guards suffered minor injuries, according to the Army.
Authorities attributed the attack to FARC dissidents led by the figure known as “Iván Mordisco”, who operate in the region.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Russia stages first robot wedding ceremony
The incident came a day after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as President of Colombia after pledging a tougher approach to armed groups and drug trafficking.
Hours earlier, a police officer was killed in the northern department of Cesar during a drone attack involving explosives against a police station.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
