Colombia reels as FARC dissidents launch coordinated bomb attacks across southwest

A wave of coordinated bombings and gun attacks has struck southwest Colombia, leaving at least seven people dead and dozens wounded. The violence, blamed on FARC dissident groups, targeted police stations, military installations and government buildings across three regions. The attacks come just days after a right-wing senator and presidential hopeful survived an assassination attempt in Bogotá, heightening concerns about political violence ahead of Colombia's 2026 elections. President Gustavo Petro has called an emergency meeting with military commanders to examine possible links between the incidents. The attacks highlight the government's ongoing struggle to contain armed groups, despite efforts to pursue a "total peace" policy. The ability of rebels to strike major cities like Cali, Colombia's third-largest, has particularly alarmed authorities. The violence has left residents in affected areas feeling terrified and abandoned, raising questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the fragility of the peace process. Al Jazeera's Alessandro Rampietti reports from Bogota, Colombia. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Colombia #ColombiaAttacks #FARCDissidents #ColombiaViolence #CaliBombings #ColombiaSecurityCrisis #AlJazeeraEnglish