At least five people were killed and another 19 were reported injured in an apparent attack on a former minister in the north of Colombia’s capital Bogota Tuesday.
According to preliminary reports, a bomb in a bus exploded on the corner of the Caracas Avenue and 74th street.
The explosion killed the driver of the bus and two bodyguards of former Interior Minister Fernando Londoño, a firm ally of former President Alvaro Uribe.
Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos confirmed the condition of Londoño in a press release. “Fortunately Dr. Londoño is stable. He is in the hospital. Unfortunately, his driver and a police officer were killed.”
While media initially reported that Londoño’s presence at the attack was coincidental, Santos confirmed that the conservative politician was indeed the target of the bombing.
Earlier in the day, police were able to disable a car bomb in the downtown area of the capital.