Colombia car bomb injures at least 11, mayor says
At least 11 people were injured in a car bombing in Colombia days before the presidential inauguration, the mayor's office said.
A truck loaded with explosives detonated next to a police station in Cucuta, near the Venezuelan border, six days before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is due to take office. Journalists at the scene saw the vehicle burning, damaged building fronts and police, soldiers and residents gathering nearby.
De la Espriella is scheduled to take office on August 7 in Cali, succeeding Gustavo Petro. Presidential inaugurations are traditionally held at the Congress building in Bogota, but De la Espriella requested that the ceremony be moved to Cali, in southwest Colombia.
AFP reported that Colombia's southwest has been affected by clashes involving drug trafficking gangs and guerrillas. The election campaign was marked by political violence, including the shooting of right-wing presidential hopeful and senator Miguel Uribe Turbay in 2025. Uribe later died.
De la Espriella has repeatedly alleged that there is a plot to assassinate him.
Update
The mayor's office said at least 11 people were injured in the car bombing.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 August 2026 at 12:46:10 UTC.
Update
The explosion happened six days before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is due to take office.
De la Espriella is scheduled to be inaugurated on August 7 in Cali rather than at the Congress building in Bogota.
The president-elect has repeatedly alleged that there is a plot to assassinate him.
The campaign was marked by political violence, including the 2025 shooting and later death of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 August 2026 at 11:53:48 UTC.
Update
The explosive vehicle was a truck.
The blast occurred next to a police station in Cucuta, near the Venezuelan border.
AFP journalists observed the vehicle in flames, damaged building facades and police, soldiers and residents at the scene.
There was no immediate official report of casualties.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 August 2026 at 11:32:20 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The supplied material does not identify who carried out the bombing.
Source
AFP news report published on .