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Colombia experienced two violent attacks on August 21, 2025 attributed to dissident factions of the former FARC guerrilla group, resulting in at least 18 deaths and over 40 injuries, BBC reported.

In Cali, a cargo vehicle loaded with explosives detonated near a Colombian Aerospace Force base, killing six people and injuring 71. Hours earlier, a National Police UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter involved in a coca leaf eradication mission was shot down in Amalfi, Antioquia, resulting in 12 officers’ deaths.

President Gustavo Petro condemned the attacks, attributing them to dissident factions of the former FARC guerrilla group that rejected the 2016 peace agreement. The government has pledged to pursue the perpetrators with full force.

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges Colombia faces in addressing violence from groups opposed to the peace accord, according to BBC.

In Colombia, at least 18 people were killed and over 40 others injured in two separate attacks yesterday. According to officials, both were attributed to dissident groups of the former FARC guerrilla movement.

According to local authorities, a vehicle loaded with explosives detonated near a Colombian Aerospace Force base in Cali, the country’s third-largest city in the southwest. The explosion killed six people and injured at least 71 others.

Earlier the same day, a Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter operated by the National Police was shot down during a coca crop eradication mission in the municipality of Amalfi, located in the Antioquia department. Twelve officers were killed in the attack.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the violence, pointing to factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that refused to lay down arms following the 2016 peace agreement. The peace deal was intended to end decades of internal conflict that had resulted in more than 450,000 deaths. Authorities continue to investigate both incidents and have vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

At least 18 people have been killed and several others were injured in two attacks in Colombia attributed to dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. A parked vehicle was detonated with explosives on Thursday in Cali, the country’s third most populous city. The incident took place near a military aviation school, resulting in six fatalities and 71 others injured, as per Al Jazeera report quoting the mayor’s office.

Earlier in the day, a National Police Black Hawk helicopter was shot down during an anti-narcotics mission. The chopper was on a coca leaf crop eradication operation. This incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Amalfi municipality in the department of Antioquia, killing at least 12 police officers.

Attack on Police Helicopter in Colombia Caught on Camera

BREAKING: At least 10 police officers killed, others injured after Colombian police helicopter shot down during anti-narcotics mission.

pic.twitter.com/TB3dPvkbEj — AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) August 21, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro alleged dissident factions of the now-defunct FARC group that have rejected a 2016 peace agreement to end a prolonged internal conflict that has left more than 45,000 dead in the country.

Also Read | 10 killed in drone attack on soccer field in Colombia.

Gustavo Petro on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) said that the attack on a police chopper occurred as the aircraft was transporting personnel to an area in Antioquia, in northern Colombia, to eradicate coca leaf crops, the raw material for cocaine.

Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez said that preliminary information indicates the attack caused a fire in the police helicopter.

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 18 people have been killed and dozens more injured in two attacks in Colombia, both attributed to dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), media reports said Friday.

In Cali, the country’s third-largest city, a vehicle packed with explosives detonated on Thursday near a military aviation school, leaving six people dead and 71 others injured, according to the mayor’s office, Al Jazeera reported.

Earlier the same day, a National Police Black Hawk helicopter taking part in a coca leaf eradication operation was downed by a drone in the municipality of Amalfi, Antioquia department, killing 12 police officers.

President Gustavo Petro blamed the assaults on dissident factions of the now-defunct FARC who rejected the 2016 peace agreement that ended decades of internal conflict in which more than 450,000 people were killed.

Petro said on X that the helicopter was transporting personnel to a coca eradication zone in northern Antioquia when it was attacked. Antioquia Governor Andrés Julián confirmed a drone struck the aircraft as it flew over coca fields.

Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez added that preliminary reports indicated the strike triggered a fire aboard the police helicopter.

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Six people died and more than 60 were injured after a car bomb exploded on a busy street in the western city of Cali in Colombia, according to authorities, BBC reported.

Earlier on Thursday, a separate drone attack against a police helicopter killed at least 12 people in a rural area outside the northwestern city of Medellin.

The attacks, attributed to different dissident factions of the now defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) group, pose fresh challenges to Colombia’s fragile peace processes ahead of elections next year, the report added.

MA/PR