The explosion that occurred this Thursday, August 21, near the Marco Fidel Suárez Air Base was the result of a car bomb.
This was confirmed by the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC) through a statement released on the social network X.
"The Colombian Aerospace Force condemns the terrorist attack perpetrated with a car bomb at approximately 2:50 p.m. today, Thursday, August 21, near the Marco Fidel Suárez Air Base in Cali," the statement reads.
#OfficialCommunication | The Colombian Aerospace Force condemns the terrorist attack perpetrated with a car bomb at 2:50 p.m. today, Thursday, August 21, near the"Marco Fidel Suárez" Air Base in Cali.
— Colombian Aerospace Force (@FuerzaAereaCol) August 21, 2025
In response to the incident, Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that they are assessing the damage and the number of victims.
“Caleños, a moment ago, a situation arose that we are currently investigating, on Avenue 8, near the Air Base. We immediately deployed the Health, Safety, and Risk teams to treat the injured,” the local leader wrote.
However, SEMANA unofficially learned preliminary figures from authorities, which speak of at least five people dead, 11 civilians injured and six vehicles affected, in addition to an undetermined number of homes and commercial premises affected by the explosive wave.
Initial reports indicate that the attack was carried out from a truck loaded with cylinder bombs.
The terrorist attack in Cali comes amid another criminal incident against law enforcement in Amalfi, Antioquia. In a rural area, criminal groups operating in the region shot down a police helicopter.
The preliminary balance, presented by President Gustavo Petro, was eight dead and seven injured.
The aircraft was providing movement support to a group of police and civilians carrying out eradication efforts when the attack occurred.
The National Police are trying to determine whether the helicopter was attacked with gunfire or by drones loaded with explosives. Everything is being investigated by the authorities.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, through his account on the social network X, gave details of what happened in this area of Antioquia.
"We seized a ton and a half of cocaine from the Gulf Clan in Urabá, and their response is ongoing in the area, with coca leaf eradication. In Amalfi, Antioquia, they managed to down a police helicopter, resulting in the death of one technician so far. The FAC's response has been immediate," the president reported.
