Background on FARC and its Relevance
The former Colombian guerrilla group, FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), signed a peace agreement in 2016. However, some factions did not adhere to the accord and continued their armed struggle. These dissident groups have become a significant challenge for Colombia’s security situation.
Recent Attacks and Casualties
On Tuesday, a major dissident faction of FARC claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in southwestern Colombia that resulted in seven fatalities. The attacks targeted Cali, the third-largest city in Colombia, and nearby towns. The assaults included shootings, car bombings, and drone strikes.
- Two police officers and five civilians were killed, according to the police report.
- There were 28 reported injuries from the attacks.
The dissident group, led by a commander identifying himself as Marlon Vásquez, acknowledged responsibility for the attacks in a video sent to a journalist chat group. Vásquez claimed the attacks occurred during the 61st anniversary commemoration of FARC’s founding in 1964.
Discrepancy in Attack Reports
While authorities reported 24 attacks, the dissidents claimed there were 40. This discrepancy highlights the challenges in verifying information from non-state armed groups.
Colombia’s Security Crisis
The recent attacks come amidst Colombia’s worst security crisis in a decade. On Saturday, Miguel Uribe, a right-wing presidential candidate, was shot by a 15-year-old alleged gunman who is currently in custody. Uribe, a senator and 39-year-old aspirant, is in critical condition at a clinic.
President Gustavo Petro, from the left-leaning party, suggested that the dissident group known as the Central General Command (EMC) might be behind Uribe’s shooting. The dissidents, however, denied responsibility and called it an “self-inflicted attack” by the right.
Petro also mentioned a hypothetical narco mafia, consisting of Colombian and foreign drug traffickers based in Dubai, as possible intellectual authors of the attacks.
Political Impact and Campaign Suspension
In response to the escalating violence, candidates from Uribe’s opposition party, Centro Democrático, have suspended their campaign activities for the 2026 presidential elections. The right aims to regain power in these elections amidst the ongoing security crisis.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the dissident factions of FARC? These groups are remnants of the former guerrilla organization that did not adhere to the 2016 peace agreement. They continue to engage in armed activities, posing a significant challenge to Colombia’s security.
- What were the recent attacks in Colombia? Multiple assaults occurred on Tuesday in southwestern Colombia, involving shootings, car bombings, and drone strikes. The attacks left seven people dead and 28 injured.
- Who is Miguel Uribe and why is his shooting significant? Miguel Uribe is a right-wing presidential candidate in Colombia. His shooting by a 15-year-old alleged gunman has heightened concerns about the country’s security situation and fueled speculation about possible political motives.
- What is the Central General Command (EMC) and its alleged involvement? The EMC is a dissident faction of FARC that President Gustavo Petro suspects might be behind the shooting of Miguel Uribe. The EMC has denied responsibility for the recent attacks.
- How have political campaigns been affected by the security crisis? Candidates from the opposition party, Centro Democrático, have suspended their campaign activities for the 2026 presidential elections due to the worsening security situation in Colombia.
