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.

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.