Car bomb kills one, injures 11 near Colombian police station
The attack adds pressure on authorities in Norte de Santander, where the ELN and FARC dissident groups operate and another car bomb wounded police and civilians in July.
Wednesday, 2 September 2026 14:35
A car bomb attack on a police station in Los Patios, near Cúcuta in Colombia’s Norte de Santander department, killed one person and injured 11 on Monday night, Diario El Comercio reported.
The Colombian government announced actions against armed organizations operating in Norte de Santander, which borders Venezuela. During a security council meeting in Cúcuta, President Abelardo de la Espriella said the government would confront the groups responsible for violence in the region.
Authorities said a vehicle loaded with about 80 kilograms of explosives was used against the police station. The blast caused a fire, damaged police motorcycles and nearby commercial establishments, interrupted electricity for several hours and caused fear among residents.
Two police officers were among those seriously injured. Tatiana Zapata, who was in the area, told EFE she felt a strong impact and then saw fire and damage, while Elicia, the owner of a damaged stationery store, asked for help to recover the business she had depended on for 22 years.
The attack was initially attributed to the National Liberation Army, or ELN. National Police operational commander Brig. Gen. Ricardo Augusto Alarcón said early investigations pointed to the ELN’s Carlos Germán Velasco Urban War Front, and said the vehicle had been stolen in June 2024, later modified to resemble a taxi and detonated by radio frequency 15 to 25 seconds after it was abandoned.
The area, especially Catatumbo, has a presence of illegal armed groups including the ELN and the Frente 33 of FARC dissidents. Authorities in Norte de Santander offered a reward of 100 million Colombian pesos, about $31,600, for information leading to the identification and capture of those responsible, and the Los Patios mayor’s office added 50 million pesos.
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