At least seven dead in Colombia attacks, local media reports

At the least seven folks have died in a wave of bomb and gun assaults in south-western Colombia, in line with native media stories.

Two law enforcement officials had been mentioned to be amongst these killed within the assaults, which focused Cali, the nation’s third-largest metropolis, and several other close by cities.

Automotive bombs, bike bombs, rifle hearth and a suspected drone had been reportedly used within the assaults. The Colombian Ministry of Defence mentioned 19 assaults had taken place.

Native media have linked a few of the assaults to a faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a once-powerful guerrilla group. The BBC has not been in a position to independently confirm this.

Police stations, municipal buildings and civilian targets had been hit as an escalating safety disaster grips the South American nation.

Police put the toll at seven lifeless, in line with Reuters and Agence France-Presse, whereas the variety of injured ranged from 28 to greater than 50.

In a press release posted to social media, the Colombian Ministry of Defence mentioned there have been 12 assaults within the Cauca area and 7 within the Valle del Cauca area, the ministry mentioned.

The ministry described the violence as “a determined response by unlawful armed teams to the large operations of the [military and police], which have devastated their illicit constructions and economies”.

The mayor of the area’s greatest metropolis, Cali, mentioned town had returned to 1989, when it was blighted by the medication commerce and cartel violence.

The assaults come days after the attempted assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay within the capital metropolis, Bogota, whereas he addressed supporters.

A 15-year-old was arrested on the scene on the time. On Tuesday, the Lawyer Basic’s workplace mentioned {the teenager} didn’t settle for the costs levelled in opposition to him, together with tried homicide and unlawful possession of a firearm.

A decide has ordered the detention of {the teenager}, the Lawyer Basic’s workplace added.