Two makeshift bombs have exploded in Colombia’s capital of Bogota on Tuesday morning, supposedly placed by Colombia’s second largest rebel group, according to local media.
Bogota’s Police Chief, General Humberto Guatibonza confirmed on Colombia’s Caracol Radio, that the bombs were to commemorate the ELN’s 50 year anniversary.
The ELN, founded in 1964, is Colombia’s second largest rebel group after the FARC with who the government is holding formal peace talks.
Witnesses at the scene said, “I got closer to see if there were any wounded people, and I could see a red and black flag that said ‘ELN 50 years’.”
One of the bombs exploded at 4:40AM causing the residents of 26 street and 30 avenue to panic, according to Caracol Radio. The other bomb exploded in the Kennedy neighborhood.
No one was injured in the explosions of the bombs and minimal damage was inflicted on the overhead bridge where one of the bombs exploded.
General Guatibonza confirmed that two other makeshift bombs were being disarmed by Bogota’s Anti-Explosives Unit on Boyaca Avenue and 80 street, as well as the Guadua bridge, according to RCN Radio.
Authorities will be on alert throughout the day for new attempts.
Location of the explosions
Sources
- Explotan dos petardos en la madrugada en Bogotá (Caracol Radio)
- Explotan dos bombas panfletarias en Bogotá (RCN Radio)