Bombing attacks mark first day of Colombia's new government, leaving one police officer dead

Bombing attacks in two separate locations across Colombia on Saturday marked the first day in office for the country’s newly elected President Abelardo de la Espriella, resulting in the death of at least one police officer and multiple injuries. The incidents occurred shortly after de la Espriella’s inauguration in the southwestern city of Cali, signaling the immediate challenges facing the hard-right leader who campaigned on a platform of confronting “narcoterrorism without truce” and ending peace talks with armed groups. According to Colombia’s army, FARC guerrilla dissidents detonated explosives to destroy a highway tollbooth near Cali in the early hours of Saturday. Two security guards sustained minor injuries in the attack. The tollbooth, located on the Pan-American highway in the Santander de Quilichao municipality, was under construction at the time. Rebels under the command of Ivan Morodisco, Colombia’s most wanted guerrilla commander, operate in the surrounding area. Morodisco leads dissidents who split from the historic 2016 peace agreement between the FARC and the government. De la Espriella condemned the attack on social media, stating that targeting infrastructure equates to attacking progress and vowing that those responsible would face no refuge, leniency, or impunity. Approximately 1,000 kilometers away, in the northern department of Cesar, another bombing struck a police station, killing an officer and injuring others. The attack was carried out using an explosive-equipped drone, according to local authorities. While suspects remain unidentified, de la Espriella reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice, declaring that whoever is behind the attacks “will not go unpunished.” These bombings underscore the volatile security landscape the new administration must navigate, particularly as de la Espriella’s confrontational leadership style has drawn comparisons to U.S. President Donald Trump and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele. De la Espriella, a 48-year-old businessman and former lawyer, has positioned himself as a staunch opponent of Colombia’s previous leftist government, led by Gustavo Petro. His campaign centered on restoring order, shrinking the state by up to 40%, and cracking down on armed groups and drug trafficking. During his inauguration speech, delivered at a military base in Cali, he pledged to “relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism” and emphasized the complete exhaustion of peace talks with armed groups. He also announced plans to join the U.S.-backed regional anti-cartel alliance known as Shield of the Americas, marking a strategic alignment with Washington and Israel. The inauguration took place in Cali, rather than the traditional location in Bogotá, reflecting de la Espriella’s desire to distance himself from the legacy of his predecessor. Among the attendees were notable figures such as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Argentine President Javier Milei, and U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, underscoring the international attention on the new administration. Meanwhile, Petro, who had criticized the election results and alleged electoral fraud, chose not to attend the ceremony, instead departing the presidential residence in Bogotá with a farewell message of “farewell, freedom and life.” Security measures for the inauguration were heightened, with approximately 11,000 troops deployed and an anti-drone system installed in Cali, a city historically plagued by guerrilla attacks. Despite these precautions, the bombings on the first day of his presidency highlight the persistent threat posed by armed groups and drug traffickers. De la Espriella’s government faces a divided Congress, lacking a legislative majority, and must contend with a populace deeply polarized over the direction of the country. As de la Espriella moves forward, his policies, ranging from the construction of “mega-prisons” to the aerial eradication of coca fields, have sparked both hope and concern. Supporters view his approach as necessary to combat the deep-rooted violence and corruption that have plagued Colombia for decades. Critics, however, warn that his aggressive tactics could further inflame existing tensions and deepen societal divides. With the country experiencing its worst wave of violence in a decade, the success, or failure, of de la Espriella’s administration will likely hinge on its ability to balance security with stability, and to address the complex realities of Colombia’s ongoing conflict.