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Bomb Blasts in Cali: Chaos, Curfew, and Cola‑Café Law
On Thursday morning, a truck‑loaded bomb sent a punch‑in‑the‑jaw shockwave through one of Cali’s busiest streets, knocking out lives and infrastructure alike. The blast slammed the Military Aviation School in the city’s northern corridor, turning a typically buzzing salsa street into a scene straight out of a thriller movie.
What Happened?
- Casualties: Five people lost their lives, and 36 more were injured – a grim toll that still rattles the already fragile peace vibes in Colombia.
- Eyewitness insight: Hector Fabio Bolanos, 65, swore he could hear a “thunderous” scream as the base blew up. “The streets were flooded with wounded folks, and the houses right in front of the base got a funky new look,” he told AFP.
- First reaction: Mayor Alejandro Eder called out the explosive death toll and declared a citywide truck ban for a few days plus a sweet $10,000 reward for anyone who could crack the case.
The Coffee‑Smelled Aftershock
Cali, Colombia’s third‑biggest city and the hometown of salsa, has seen more activity than a salsa club on a Friday night. With a population over two million, the city’s nightlife is the scene for many a midnight twist, yet it’s also haunted by a cartel‑shaded past.
Tagging the attackers as “narcoterrorists,” Mayor Eder set the tone early, even as the assailants stay anonymous. Meanwhile, in November, former left‑wing guerillas handed warning gunfire and bombs above Cali, sending the city’s police scrambling.
Why Are They Targeting Cali?
Long ago, the 2016 peace deal let the main rebel gang, the FARC, lay down arms and fade into history. If you thought that was the end, think again: the Central General Staff (EMC), once ballyhooed as left‑wing, now runs drug cartels through coca juice and cars. They have cranked up operations ahead of the 2026 elections – and the city’s breathing fear.
The Low‑Key Confusion Over Responsibility
No revelation yet – the usual suspects (cartels, paramilitaries, or guerrillas) are all on standby. The EMC denies taking charge of this particular blast, but the country is gasping for air whenever anything explodes.
Time’s Running Out: Elections Loom
Policymakers worry that a return to the violent 1980s and 1990s climate could derail the next big elections. President Gustavo Petro, who’s shaken off a 6‑decade war, is feeling the heat as unleashing public support for dissident guerillas sparks fears of a resurgence.
Petro’s response? He’s slated a “terrorist” tag for the so‑called “Segunda Marquetalia” and the Clan del Golfo – the country’s biggest cartel. The lawmaker, not eligible for reelection, fears an explosion in the political arena.
Warm Remembrance
Earlier this month, Colombia buried 39‑year‑old candidate Miguel Uribe. His wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, fumed at the funeral, “Our country is going through the darkest, saddest, and most painful days.”
Uribe’s mother, Diana Turbay, a journalist who had almost been in the 1991 police operation to extract her from the Medellin cartel, has now become a historical figure in her own right.
In the End, It’s A Harsh Reality
While the police and the nation are doing counter‑measures, the city’s people swing into street nights, they can’t help but wonder if the next beat will bring another beat‑down.
