Attack in Colombia Could Have Targeted Fernando Londoño

Attack in Colombia Could Have Targeted Fernando Londoño

This afternoon, National Police spokesman Alberto Cantillo said that at least five people died and more than a dozen were injured after a bomb exploded in the Caracas Avenue in the city of Bogota.

The President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, said that this attack was against Fernando Londoño, former Minister of Interior (2002-2004), who is injured but is out of danger.

Among the five victims of attack against the former minister was the driver and two policemen who were part of his escort.

The circumstances behind the attack are still not defined. One version is that a mini bus without passengers exploded. However, few hours later, the mayor of Bogota, Gustavo Petro, said “the attack was committed by a person who was walking.”

The attack occurred two hours after a specialized unit disabled a vehicle loaded with explosives that the intended to blow in front of the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police of Bogota. The man driving was captured. This vehicle carried over 120 kilos of explosive indugel with a mixture of shrapnel. The bomb would be activated by mobile phone signal.

(BG)