Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Thursday condemned the recent bomb attacks on the central city of Neiva and called on locals to not give in to extortion attempts.
Santos said at a press conference that the FARC, the country’s largest guerrilla group who are highly active in the city, is responsible for the three attacks in the first few days of this year.
“I want to start this press conference condemning the bomb these terrorists put in Neiva this morning, telling you that what the FARC are showing is despair. Most of all I want to tell the people of Neiva, and all of Colombia, that the attitude of not paying extortion money — I think this was an act of revenge because of the refusal to pay extortion money — is the best attitude, the best behaviour you can have against these bandits.”
Instead, Colombians should reports extortion attempts to the authorities, said Santos.
“The security forces are ready to defend those that have reported an extortion attempt … When extortion is reported there is a 94, 95 percent chance of capturing the criminals and those responsible,” Santos said.
The city of Neiva was shook by three attacks, leaving one girl injured and damaging dozens of houses.