At least eight police officers and three other people were injured this Saturday by the explosion of a vehicle bomb near the Police command of the Department of Norte de Santander, in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, bordering Venezuela, which was followed by other detonations.
The injured are “eight police officers and three private individuals,” the Secretary of Citizen Security of Norte de Santander, George Quintero, told EFE about this attack perpetrated at dawn against the police command, located in the Tasajero neighborhood, very close to homes and commercial premises that suffered material damage from the explosion.
The area where the attack occurred is near the Cenabastos public market, a point where trucks loaded with farm products arrive at dawn, and for that reason the vehicle transporting the explosives did not attract the attention of the authorities.
After this detonation, several explosive devices were launched in the same sector and one of the people who was injured is a woman who was selling coffee at a street stand.
Congresswoman Diana Riveros, representative to the Chamber for Norte de Santander, regretted the attack, which was perpetrated on a weekend in which the border city is celebrating the Cúcuta Fairs.
"Today Cúcuta should have been in the news for the joy of its fairs, not for explosions, gunshots and terror. It deeply hurts me to see our department continue to suffer the consequences of violence. I accompany the injured police officers and each family that is experiencing moments of anguish today," Riveros wrote in X.
This attack occurs a week before the inauguration of the elected president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, who has promised a tough line against violent people.
"I condemn with absolute firmness the cowardly terrorist attack perpetrated in Cúcuta against our National Police. My solidarity with the injured soldiers, their families and with all citizens who are experiencing moments of anguish today," said De la Espriella in X.
The president-elect, who will take office on August 7 in Cali, in the southwest of the country, added: "Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia or break the will of Colombians to live in peace and security. Those responsible must be identified, captured and brought to justice to the full extent of the law."
The Minister of Defense appointed by De la Espriella for his Government, retired General Jorge Eduardo Mora, a native of Cúcuta, also rejected “with absolute forcefulness the terrorist attack” in his city.
"The violent must be clear that they will not be able to sow fear or bend the institutions. Colombia needs unity and firmness to confront those who attack the life, security and tranquility of citizens. I reaffirm my commitment to work for a strengthened Public Force and for a country where violence does not have the last word," he expressed in X.
In Norte de Santander, and especially in the turbulent region of Catatumbo, various illegal armed groups operate, including the guerrilla of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the 33rd front of the FARC dissidents.
