Car bomb wounds 11 in Colombia days before US-backed right-wing leader takes office

Car bomb wounds 11 in Colombia ahead of new right-wing leader's inauguration

A car bomb attack in the city of Cucuta on the Venezuelan border wounded eight police officers and three civilians. The attack took place six days before US-backed right-wing leader Abelardo de la Espriella's inauguration.

Scraper SystemAugust 01, 2026, 08:08 PM

Car bomb wounds 11 in Colombia ahead of new right-wing leader's inauguration

At least 11 people were wounded in a car bomb attack Saturday in the Colombian city of Cucuta on the Venezuelan border. Norte de Santander security secretary George Quintero said eight police officers and three civilians were among the wounded.

The attack came six days before right-wing leader Abelardo de la Espriella, who has the support of US President Donald Trump, is scheduled to take over from leftist President Gustavo Petro on August 7. In a statement on X, de la Espriella strongly condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack" and said, "Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia."

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. However, a number of armed groups operate in the region, including the National Liberation Army (ELN), dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the Clan del Golfo criminal organization.

Colombia, which has been grappling with internal conflict for over six decades and is the world's largest cocaine producer, has also seen its election process marred by violence. In 2025, right-wing presidential candidate Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay was killed in an assassination in Bogotá.

President-elect de la Espriella has promised to adopt a military approach against rebel groups and drug trafficking. He previously told the Associated Press that he would order the downing of drug-laden planes and boats. He also pledged to expand Colombia's military alliance with the US and follow the tough policies of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

This marks a sharp break from incumbent President Petro, who has championed dialogue and social programs in the fight against drugs and distanced himself from the US "war on drugs" policy. Petro's policies led to friction with the Trump administration during his tenure.

De la Espriella had previously warned of a plot to assassinate him and asked to take the oath of office at a military garrison, but Petro denied the request. The new leader will take office in a ceremony at Bogotá's City Hall with 11,000 soldiers and police officers in attendance.

Car bomb wounds 11 in Colombia ahead of new right-wing leader's inauguration