Car bomb and assault on a helicopter in Colombia kill not less than 17, together with law enforcement officials

A automobile bomb and a separate assault on a police helicopter in Colombia killed not less than 17 folks on Thursday (August 21, 2025), in line with authorities. President Gustavo Petro attributed each assaults to dissidents of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, generally referred to as FARC.

At least 12 law enforcement officials died within the assault on a helicopter that in line with authorities was transporting personnel to an space in Antioquia in northern Colombia, to eradicate coca leaf crops, the uncooked materials for cocaine. Petro had reported initially eight officers killed, however Antioquia Gov. Andrés Julián mentioned 4 others died later and three stay injured.

The Antioquia Governor had mentioned on X {that a} drone attacked the helicopter because it flew over coca leaf crops. Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez mentioned preliminary info signifies the assault triggered a hearth within the plane.

Meanwhile, authorities within the southwest metropolis of Cali reported {that a} automobile loaded with explosives detonated close to a army aviation faculty, killing 5 folks and injuring greater than 30. The Colombian air power didn’t instantly present further particulars of the explosion.

Mr. Petro initially blamed the Gulf Clan, the nation’s largest lively drug cartel, for the assault on the helicopter. He mentioned the plane was focused in retaliation for a cocaine seizure that allegedly belonged to the group.

The President mentioned an alleged member of the dissident group was arrested within the space of the explosion.

FARC dissidents, who rejected a peace settlement with the federal government in 2016, and members of the Gulf Clan each function in Antioquia.

Coca leaf cultivation is on the rise in Colombia. The space below cultivation reached a report 253,000 hectares in 2023, in line with the most recent report out there from the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime.