Truck Bomb Outside Colombia Police Base Injures 11 Officers

Early Saturday, a truck bomb detonated outside a police station in Cucuta, Colombia, resulting in injuries to 11 officers and the death of a police dog. The explosion, which took place in a city close to the Venezuelan border, caused damage to the roof and shattered windows of the building. General William Rincon, the head of Colombia's police force, denounced the incident as a 'vile terrorist attack' and pledged to hold the perpetrators accountable. Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez attributed the attack to the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, announcing a reward of US$60,000 for any information. This incident occurs as Colombia is set to welcome its new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, an ultraconservative who intends to halt peace negotiations with rebel factions. The ELN has been engaged in conflict with the government for decades, with an estimated 6,000 fighters.