Violence continues to intensify against rural communities in Cauca, with a new terrorist attack that occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10 in Timbiquí, on the Pacific coast of the department. The Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, and the second commander of the National Navy, Vice Admiral Harry Reina, confirmed that the attack was directed against a patrol of the naval base of the Marines in the municipality. The attack left at least eight marines injured, three of them in serious condition and transferred to the Valle del Lili Foundation in Cali. In addition, it caused damage to 100 homes, three of which were completely destroyed.
EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL
Local authorities and the security forces have called an extraordinary security council to address the situation and locate those responsible. Images showing the structural damage to homes have been shared on social media. Some residents initially believed it was an earthquake due to the roar of the attack. It is reported that two cylinders exploded, causing the tragedy. The governor of Cauca, Octavio Guzmán, announced that security protocols have been activated to assist the affected population. In addition, he strongly condemned the attack and stressed the unanimous rejection of these acts of violence in the region.
REVENGE AND EVACUATION
This attack with explosives occurred just after the Army announced that, during operations on September 8, it had neutralized 15 alleged members of the FARC dissidents. The explosions occurred in one of the secondary ports on the Timbiquí River, near a residential area. The Timbiquí mayor’s office reported that the explosion affected between 180 and 200 homes in the area. The rapid evacuation was possible thanks to overflights in the area as part of ongoing operations against this illegal armed organization.
