Explosive-trapped taxi attack in Cúcuta: 1 dead, 12 injured

In the statement of the Cúcuta Police Department, it was reported that the attack was carried out at around 23.15 local time by detonating an explosive-laden taxi near the police station.

It was stated in the statement that one person died in the attack and 11 people were injured, 2 of them seriously, and that the surrounding buildings and vehicles were damaged due to the violence of the explosion.

In the statement, it was stated that the injured were taken to hospitals in the region.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, in his post on the social media platform of US-based company X, stated that he would go to Cucuta and convene the Security Council, which will include the entire Armed Forces command level.

Emphasizing that a large-scale operation will be launched to catch those who carried out the attack, De la Espriella said, "We will follow with an iron fist until we catch those who attack our people, destroy their structures and bring peace back to our communities. Wherever terrorists want to spread fear, the state will be present with all its might." he said.

It is considered that the armed rebel organization ELN is behind the attack in question.

ESPIRELLA'S DECISION TO STOP PEACE TALKS

The De la Espriella government, which took office on August 7, officially terminated the peace talks with three illegal armed groups, including the General Staff of Blocks and Fronts (EMBF) and the armed rebel organization National Liberation Army (ELN), on the grounds that they "did not display sufficient will for peace" on August 28.

While the neutralization of 10 FARC dissidents and the finding of 3 children among the dead in the last bombardment in Guaviare province upon the instructions of De la Espriella caused controversy in the country, the government gave a message of determination and stated that field operations would increasingly continue.