Colombian Military Forces Neutralize Members of Armed Group Following Deadly Bus Bombing

Colombian military forces announced on Wednesday that they successfully neutralized five members of a militant group responsible for a devastating bus bombing. This attack resulted in the deaths of 20 civilians and left 45 others injured.

Officials from the Military Forces of Colombia identified the neutralized individuals as members of the “Estructura Jaime Martínez,” an organized armed group. In addition to the bus bombing, this group engaged in other criminal activities. They planted explosives in the municipality of Cajibío, stole vehicles along the Pan-American Highway, and used drones loaded with explosives.

A video shared by the authorities features various weapons displayed on a table. Another segment shows body bags positioned in front of a military helicopter, alongside numerous confiscated weapons.

The military action was a response to an attack that occurred on April 26. On that day, an explosive device detonated on a passenger bus traveling along the Pan-American Highway in the volatile Cauca region. The explosion claimed the lives of 15 women and five men, as reported by The Associated Press.

According to Gen. Hugo López, commander of Colombia’s armed forces, this act was a “terrorist” attack. He attributed the violence to dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), particularly the Jaime Martínez group and the network of “Iván Mordisco,” a notorious figure in the country. The U.N. high commissioner for human rights has urged authorities to ensure justice for the victims.

Southwestern Colombia has become a battleground as illegal armed groups jostle for control over regions critical for coca leaf cultivation and drug trafficking routes leading to Central America and Europe. This region’s strategic importance has intensified conflicts among these groups.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.