3 killed in terrorist attack against Colombian police

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - A woman and two police officers were killed Wednesday in Colombia in a terrorist attack in the municipality of Tibu in the department of Norte de Santander.

A video circulating on social media shows the explosion of a police car as it was passing along a road. At least 10 injured police officers were taken to the nearest medical facilities.

Those responsible for the attack have not been identified, but there is a strong presence of several illegal groups in the area, including the National Liberation Army (ELN) and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents.

The police are offering a $45,000 reward to anyone who provides information that enables them to locate the whereabouts of those responsible.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the terrorist attack.

“An embrace of solidarity for the families of the victims of this atrocious act. This criminal act will not go unpunished,” he said on his Twitter account.

The tragic event took place in the middle of Petro's “total peace” project, which aims to bring together armed groups operating in the country to initiate peace negotiations with all of them.

Plans to achieve peace have faced several setbacks, however. A few days ago, Petro suspended a cease-fire with FARC dissidents after the murder of four young indigenous people in the department of Putumayo. In an attempt at forced recruitment by the guerrilla group, they were killed while trying to escape.

Negotiations have also not been easy with the ELN rebel group. The Colombian government and the leftist rebel group have had disagreements that began when Petro declared a cease-fire in January that was later denied by the guerrilla group. Since then, the negotiations have gone through several crises.