A bomb blast on a Colombian highway kills 20 and shakes the country just weeks before elections

A powerful explosion on a bus along Colombia's Pan-American Highway in the southwestern Cauca region has killed at least 20 people and left 36 injured, officials confirmed Monday. The blast, which tore through the vehicle late Saturday, has sent shockwaves across the country just weeks before national elections, reviving painful memories of decades past when guerrilla violence regularly disrupted daily life.

Authorities have pointed to a dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) as the likely perpetrator. Unlike the main Farc group, which disarmed after a landmark peace agreement in 2016, this splinter cell has continued armed operations, especially in remote, rural areas like Cauca. The group has been linked to a string of recent attacks, including extortion, kidnappings, and clashes with security forces.

The bus was traveling through a stretch of highway known for its strategic importance and vulnerability to attacks. The region has long been a hotspot for armed groups competing over territory and illicit economies, including drug trafficking. Security experts say the choice of target-a civilian bus on a major road-suggests an intent to instill fear and draw national attention.

President Gustavo Petro, who has staked his administration on reviving peace efforts and reducing military responses, condemned the bombing and called for unity. In a public address, he described the attack as a 'cowardly act against innocent people' and pledged to strengthen protection for civilians in conflict zones. Still, critics argue that violence in rural areas has worsened under his watch, especially as multiple armed factions expand their influence.

The timing of the blast has added political weight to the tragedy. With elections scheduled for May, candidates across the spectrum are now grappling with how to address security without fueling militarization. Some opposition figures have seized on the attack to question the government's peace-focused strategy, while Petro's allies warn that reverting to hardline tactics could unravel fragile progress.

Locals in Cauca say they feel caught in the middle. Many have lived under the shadow of armed conflict for generations, and while the 2016 peace deal brought hope, its benefits never fully reached their communities. 'We're tired of being forgotten,' said one resident near the blast site. 'We just want to travel safely, to live without fear.'

As Colombia mourns, the attack underscores the uneven reach of peace and the persistent dangers in its most isolated regions. With elections approaching, the pressure is growing on leaders to deliver not just promises, but protection.