Background on the Situation in Cali, Colombia
Cali, the third most populous city in Colombia and a significant hub in the Pacific region, has been facing an escalating conflict as various dissident factions of the former FARC guerrilla group vie for control over the lucrative cocaine trade destined for the United States and Europe.
The Recent Attacks
On Thursday, at least 14 people lost their lives and more than forty were injured in two separate attacks attributed to different FARC dissident groups, according to Colombian authorities.
Details of the Attacks
Cali Incident:
In Cali, a truck loaded with explosives detonated near the base of the Colombian Air Force, resulting in six fatalities and fifty injuries, as reported by the city’s mayor.
Amalfi Helicopter Incident:
Hours earlier, a Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter belonging to the National Police, participating in a coca eradication operation, was shot down in the Amalfi municipality of Antioquia department. This incident claimed eight lives and left eight more injured.
President’s Response
Colombian President Gustavo Petro held dissident FARC factions responsible for the attacks, stating that these groups rejected a 2016 peace agreement ending a protracted internal conflict that has claimed over 450,000 lives.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the FARC dissidents? The FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) was a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group that engaged in a decades-long armed conflict against the Colombian government. After signing a peace agreement in 2016, some factions rejected the accord and continued their activities, now classified as dissident groups.
- Why is Cali significant in this context? Cali is the third most populous city in Colombia and a crucial center in the Pacific region. Its strategic location and economic importance make it a focal point for the ongoing struggle among dissident FARC groups and other criminal organizations over control of the cocaine trade.
- What is the current state of the Colombian conflict? Despite the 2016 peace agreement, violence persists in Colombia due to the rejection of the accord by some former FARC factions and the emergence of new criminal groups seeking control over illicit activities, such as drug trafficking.
