A tragic traffic accident in Barranquilla, Colombia, left two people dead and two others seriously injured early on August 1, 2026. The incident occurred in the Siete de Abril neighborhood in the southern part of the city, specifically in the area known as Loma del Papi. According to preliminary reports, the driver involved in the crash was identified as Carlos Mario Salcedo Atencio, a 35-year-old man who was operating a Chevrolet Ónix with license plates QLT-449. The collision happened on the intersection of street 68 and avenue 5 South. The sequence of events began when Salcedo’s vehicle struck a cyclist before colliding with a stationary taxi, a Hyundai model with license plates STN-443. The impact caused the car to rebound and strike a motorcycle, an Auteco Combat 125 with license plates PMU-83F. The occupants of the motorcycle had already descended due to a police operation being conducted by a National Police patrol. This led to the worst part of the tragedy, as the car continued forward, running over several pedestrians and dragging the motorcycle before hitting the officer assisting with the police procedure. Two victims were confirmed deceased: Diovanny Inocencio De La Hoz Romero, a 60-year-old man who suffered multiple injuries and died instantly after the impact, and Maryluz Rodríguez Montiel, a 36-year-old woman who was taken to the San Ignacio Clinic but arrived without vital signs due to the severity of her injuries. Another victim, Luis Miguel Galván Hernández, 41, Maryluz’s partner, sustained serious injuries including cervical and thoracic trauma and was in critical condition. Both survivors required immediate medical attention, while the community remained shocked and confused about the circumstances leading to the accident. Initial witness accounts suggested that Salcedo might have been under the influence of alcohol. However, official results from the breathalyzer test administered to him showed negative for alcohol consumption. This has raised new questions among the families of the victims and shifted the focus of investigators toward determining why the driver lost control of his vehicle. Authorities are currently examining the possibility of other factors contributing to the accident, such as mechanical failure or distractions behind the wheel. The investigation into the cause of the accident continues, with officials working to reconstruct the exact sequence of events. Forensic experts from the traffic department have begun analyzing the scene, reviewing video footage, and collecting statements from witnesses. They aim to establish whether there were any external factors that contributed to the crash, beyond the driver's condition. In a separate development, President-elect Abelardo De La Espriella addressed rumors surrounding the establishment of a new presidential residence in Barranquilla. He clarified during a speech on August 2 that no new building was being constructed for this purpose. Instead, an existing structure located at the site of the Second Army Brigade in the Paraíso Battalion was being adapted for use. De La Espriella emphasized that the facility, which includes a bunker built decades ago for wartime protection, would serve as an alternate headquarters for his administration. He denied using public funds for the renovations and stated that the building’s neoclassical architecture was similar to that of other historical structures around the world, though not a replica of the White House. Meanwhile, international figures will attend De La Espriella’s inauguration ceremony scheduled for August 7 in Cali. Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, will be present alongside leaders from other right-wing political movements in Latin America, including Javier Milei of Argentina and Rodrigo Paz of Ecuador. The presence of these foreign dignitaries underscores the significance of the event and highlights the growing international interest in De La Espriella’s leadership. On another front, the newly formed anti-corruption team of De La Espriella revealed findings indicating potential corruption involving more than $370 million in government contracts during the previous administration. These allegations include discrepancies in the purchase of drone defense systems and unauthorized contracts worth millions of dollars. The information was submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman, and the Comptroller General for further investigation. In a different incident, a man attempted to assassinate a patient inside the Camino Adelita de Char hospital in Barranquilla. The attacker, who managed to enter the facility by impersonating a security guard, targeted Rolando Cantillo Benavides, a 36-year-old man who had previously survived an armed attack in Soledad on July 25. The assailant shot at Cantillo, wounding him in the left arm and back, but the victim survived. The police are investigating whether the two attacks are connected and are looking into the suspect’s possible motives and support network.
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