Amid the confusion surrounding the attack in Cali, Valle del Cauca, authorities are making progress in their investigations into the scene near the Marco Fidel Suárez Air Base. A recent discovery indicates that there were two trucks loaded with explosives to be detonated at the site.
Two explosions occurred in the La Base neighborhood of Cali on Thursday afternoon, August 21. So far, authorities from the Valle del Cauca capital, present at the Unified Command Post (PMU), have reported that more than 50 people were injured and six were killed as a result of the terrorist attack.
In context: LIVE: Attack in Cali and attack on helicopter in Amalfi today | President Petro says it's been 'a day of death'; follow the minute-by-minute story
They managed to stop a truck before it exploded and finished destroying a large part of the city of Cali
— Ariel Ricardo Armel (@arielarmelv) August 21, 2025
This is criminal how they are killing Colombians every day
A truck did not explode in Cali: this is known
Witnesses and people who already arrived at the scene of the attack reported that a second truck was scheduled to explode near the Colombian Aerospace Force facility. However, only one exploded.
According to reports from EL TIEMPO special correspondents, the unexploded truck was filled with tatucos, which authorities are already removing.
Two alleged perpetrators of the attack are in custody.
Videos have been posted on social media showing some members of the community attacking the alleged perpetrators, who were reportedly captured by National Police officers.
EL TIEMPO established that the Cali Metropolitan Police arrested two people suspected of being involved in the incident. Their arrest has not yet been officially announced, and further details regarding their identification are awaited.
Investigations progress; Cali Mayor's Office announces reward
For its part, the Attorney General's Office reported that a prosecutor from the Specialized Directorate against Criminal Organizations has taken over the investigation.
The mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, strongly rejected the attack and announced a reward of up to 400 million pesos for information leading to the location of those responsible for the explosions.
Regarding the attack, the president expressed his solidarity with those affected and their families."We will not allow fear to reign over our city; we will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice," he stated.
The mayor stated that the city will not lower its guard in the face of this attack and asked the National Government for greater support to ensure the peace of mind of the people of Cali.
Two attacks in a single day in Colombia
On the morning of Thursday, August 21, it was reported that a police helicopter suffered an emergency after being attacked with a drone in a rural area of Amalfi, Antioquia.
Units were mobilized on the aircraft to carry out ground eradication efforts, but when they returned to base, they were warned that the troops were under attack.
President Gustavo Petro lamented the attack that left eight members of the police dead and eight wounded."The authorship of the incident is attributed to the so-called 36th front of the EMC," the president said in his message.
For his part, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said: “Our police force was attacked by the Clan del Golfo cartel, causing a helicopter to burn and critically injuring our police officers. In response to this attack, the full capabilities of @FuerzasMilCol and @PoliciaColombia were deployed to ensure the extraction of ground personnel, provide air support, and neutralize the criminals responsible.”
