A bomb attack on the Pan-American Highway in southwestern Colombia has killed 19 people and injured at least 38, including five children, authorities said Saturday. The blast occurred in the municipality of Cajibio, Cauca department, just a month before the country's presidential election.

According to local media, an explosive cylinder fell onto a minibus and detonated. Governor Octavio Guzman described the incident as a "tragedy" and warned of a "terrorist escalation." Images shared by Guzman showed extensive damage to vehicles and a large crater on the highway.

President Gustavo Petro blamed the attack on Ivan Mordisco, one of Colombia's most wanted criminals and a dissident of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Mordisco rejected the 2016 peace deal and continues to operate in the region. Petro called the perpetrators "terrorists, fascists and drug traffickers."

The attack is part of a wave of at least 26 explosions targeting public infrastructure in Valle del Cauca and Cauca departments over the past two days, according to Commander of Colombia's Armed Forces Hugo López. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez led a delegation to Cali to assess the situation.

The violence comes ahead of the May 31 presidential election, where security is a central issue. Opposition candidate Paloma Valencia of the right-wing Democratic Center party criticized President Petro's government for "minimizing the violence" and demanded full support for the armed forces and police.

Source: www.dw.com