Colombia: Grenade attack against police in Caquetá Feb. 19

Event

A grenade attack carried out in San Vincent del Caguán (Caquetá department, south) killed two police officers on Monday, February 19. The device was thrown at the two officers on motorcycle, who were traveling on Route 65 which connects San Vincent del Caguán with the town of Puerto Rico. A third person, likely one of the attackers, was also killed in the explosion. The National Police have not made a statement regarding the attack or any potential suspects. However, ex-FARC dissidents are known to operate in the area.

Context

A peace deal between the FARC and the Colombian government was ratified by the Colombian congress in November 2016, officially ending an armed conflict that killed more than 260,000 people over five decades. However, some dissident ex-FARC militants have refused to recognize the treaty and subsequent demobilization, and remain active in various parts of the country.

Advice

Due to the presence of a number of armed groups - including organized crime groups, drug cartels, right-wing militias, and local gangs - many governments advise their nationals against travel to various regions of the country (particularly rural zones), including Caquetá.