Colombia: Police station attacked in Tunja (Boyacá) Oct. 22

Event

Two men approached a police station in Tunja (Boyacá department) at around 01:30 (local time) on Monday, October 22, opening fire on an officer. Minutes later, two explosive devices were detonated in the parking lot. Several other devices failed to detonate and another three were defused by police in the Altos de Cooservicios neighborhood. The police officer was killed in the attack and several police cars were incinerated. The Boyacá police are treating the incident as a terrorist attack, an unusual occurrence in Tunja. The identities of the perpetrators, who fled the scene, and the motive behind the attack are currently unknown. Security has been increased in the city and its surroundings.

Context

Various armed groups are active in Colombia, including drug cartels, right-wing militias, local gangs, paramilitary crime organizations (BACRIM), the ELN guerrilla group, and ex-FARC dissidents. However, Tunja, along with much of the rest of Boyacá, has traditionally not been considered a high-risk area.

Advice

Individuals in or planning travel to Colombia are advised to keep abreast of the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments. Due to the presence of armed groups, Western governments generally advise against travel to various regions of the country, most notably most areas on the border with Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, and Panama.