President Abelardo De la Espriella Leads Security Council in Cúcuta Following Car Bomb Attack

President Abelardo De la Espriella held an extraordinary security council meeting in Cúcuta following a car bomb attack at the Los Patios police station on August 31. The explosion, caused by a taxi containing approximately 80 kilograms of ammonal explosives, left one civilian of Venezuelan nationality dead and 15 people injured. The injured include seven uniformed personnel and eight civilians. During the meeting, President Abelardo De la Espriella stated that the administration will fight to liberate the department from violence and will not allow local administrators to become allies with armed groups. He emphasized that the government is focused on results and promised to return in 15 days to review security progress. The National Police identified the Frente de Guerra Urbano Carlos Germón Velasco of the ELN as the likely perpetrator. General Ricardo Alarcón, the operational commander of the National Police, noted that the vehicle used in the attack was stolen in June 2024. The administration announced an increase in institutional controls and strengthened operations to capture the main leaders of criminal organizations in the region.

Sources

• infobae.com
  De la Espriella hizo fuerte advertencia durante el consejo de seguridad en Cúcuta tras el atentado terrorista en Los Patios: “Aquí nadie se acobarda”
• El Tiempo
  El país completa 204 atentados con explosivos en 2026: el carro bomba de Los Patios, Cúcuta, endurece ofensiva contra el Eln
• El Espectador
  Aumentan a 16 los heridos tras ataque terrorista del Eln con carro bomba en Los Patios
• elcolombiano.com
  De la Espriella lidera consejo de seguridad desde Cúcuta tras atentado: “Aquí nadie se acobarda” | El Colombiano
• Blu Radio
  Frustran nuevo ataque terrorista en Cúcuta: encuentran carro cargado con explosivos