Truck bomb blast near Colombian Airbase, Drone attack on police Helicopter Leave 18 Dead

August 22, 2025

Washington, August 22: 18 people were killed in two separate attacks in Colombia on Thursday. A bomb exploded in a truck near the air base in the Colombian city of Cali on Thursday . 6 people were killed in this, while more than 71 people were injured.

According to media reports, this blast took place near the Marco Fidel Suarez Military Aviation School. A few hours before this, a helicopter carrying policemen going to destroy cocaine crops was attacked by a drone. In which 12 police officers were killed.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that factions of the rebel organization FARC are behind these attacks. FARC’s aim is to overthrow the Colombian government. Although this organization was disbanded after a peace agreement in 2016, it is still active in supplying drugs in many areas.

Entry of big trucks banned in the city

Cali’s mayor condemned the attack and offered a reward for information about those responsible. Witnesses told AFP News that a loud sound of something exploding was heard near the air base.

After the incident, many nearby buildings and schools have been evacuated. The mayor has also announced a ban on the entry of large trucks into the city.

Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez described the explosion as a ‘terrorist attack’ and blamed the ‘narco cartel (drug smuggling gang) group Gulf Clan ‘ for it. At the same time, the President and the military leadership have called a special meeting today to ensure the safety of citizens.

Colombia leads in cocaine production

Drug cultivation, especially coca, is rampant in Colombia. Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine producer, producing about 60–70% of the global cocaine supply.

The cocaine plant is grown extensively in remote and poor areas of Colombia such as Nariño, Cauca, Putumayo, and Caquetá. In 2023, coca cultivation in Colombia reached 2.5 million hectares, 10% more than in 2022.

Poverty, lack of infrastructure and a lack of government presence in rural Colombia promote coca cultivation. It is a stable source of income for local farmers, as coca cultivation is more profitable and less labor intensive than other traditional crops (such as coffee)