Description: Dissidents of Colombia’s Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) detonated an explosive device in the southern Cauca region, leaving 19 people dead and additional 38 severely injured. The bomb blast followed several days of armed fighting between police, military forces and FARC dissidents in the region, where a military base was attacked in Cali while police uncovered armed drones pertaining to the dissidents in Jamaundi. The attacks follow a deadly string of violence in Colombia where groups such as ELN and FARC – EMC are involved in direct confrontation with the police and military. Colombian president Gustavo Petro labeled the bombing as a terrorist attack and called for strengthening defense and police presence in the region. The attack arrives ahead of the presidential election in the country, scheduled for 31 May. Leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda, who is supported by Petro and currently leads the polls will face against right – wing candidates Paloma Valencia and Abelardo de la Espriella.
Impact: Following the failed disarmament efforts presented by Gustavo Petro, armed militias and dissidents of rebel groups are poised to continue opposing government forces likely aggravating the security situation in the country. Most of the groups obtain their financing through drug trade with the Cauca region being one of the crucial focal points for drug trade towards Europe and North America which indicates that access to Cauca and demonstration of force was the likeliest motive behind the attacks. FARC – EMC, ELN and other similar groups are waging an asymmetric guerilla – style warfare against the Colombian military and police which likely positions the groups to be sustainable over longer periods of time and sustain any significant opposition from the government’s forces in the long – term. The attack would most likely influence the upcoming negotiations where Petro’s approach of negotiating while waging war against the narco – terrorist groups has come under scrutiny.