Safety

Violence Surges Across Colombia Weeks Before Presidential Election

Colombia Mágico April 28, 2026 Updated May 30, 2026

In late April 2026, FARC dissident factions launched a coordinated wave of attacks across Colombia, killing dozens of people just weeks before the May presidential election. The violence hit the Pan-American Highway in Cauca, towns in Valle del Cauca, and multiple other departments simultaneously. For expats living in Colombia or planning travel, here is what happened and what it means. For broader context on staying safe in Colombia, see our transportation safety guide.

⚠ Election Results Update: May 31, 2026

The first round is decided and Colombia is headed to a runoff. With about 99% of tables counted, Abelardo de la Espriella finished first with 43.7% (around 10.3 million votes) and Senator Iván Cepeda second with 40.9% (around 9.6 million votes). Paloma Valencia trailed far behind at under 7%. No candidate cleared 50%, so de la Espriella and Cepeda advance to a second round on Sunday, June 21. The result was a surprise, since pre-election polls had put Cepeda in front. The campaign now enters a tense three-week stretch in a country already on edge after the April violence described below.

For expats: foreigners cannot vote, so steer clear of polling sites and any post-result street gatherings, especially around the June 21 runoff. Expect heightened security nationwide through the second round. For the practical weekend rules on alcohol bans and border closures, see our election weekend logistics guide.

What Happened

The wave began on Saturday, April 25, with a bus bombing on the Pan-American Highway at El Túnel, in the municipality of Cajibío, Cauca department. The initial toll reported by Le Monde that day was 7 dead, but the count climbed across the weekend as bodies were recovered and injured victims died; by April 28 Al Jazeera and PBS NewsHour put the figure at at least 20 dead and 36 injured. The Colombian military, through commander Gen. Hugo López, attributed the bombing to FARC-EMC, Jaime Martínez faction, under Néstor Vera, alias “Iván Mordisco.” On April 27, trucks carrying goods were set on fire in Jamundí, Valle del Cauca, in what was described as a coordinated follow-on action. NPR and The Guardian cited Colombia’s Ministry of Defense logging 26 attacks across multiple regions starting Friday April 24.

The Colombian military deployed to affected areas. The Pan-American Highway, which is the main road connecting Cali to Popayan and onward to Ecuador, was disrupted.

Why Now

The timing is not random. Colombia holds its presidential election in May 2026. President Gustavo Petro, who cannot run again due to term limits, built his presidency around “Total Peace,” a strategy of negotiating with armed groups including FARC dissidents to end decades of conflict. The policy has been deeply divisive. Supporters say negotiation is the only path to lasting peace. Critics argue it gave armed groups room to rearm and expand territorial control while facing few consequences.

Several candidates running to replace Petro have promised a harder line against armed groups. The attacks appear timed to demonstrate that FARC dissident factions retain the capacity for large-scale coordinated violence, regardless of who wins the election. According to international reporting, the violence is escalating as the vote approaches.

Which Groups Are Responsible

The attacks are attributed to FARC dissident factions: splinter groups that rejected the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the original FARC. These are not a single unified organization. They are a collection of armed groups operating in different regions, involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining, and extortion. They are most active in Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Narino, Putumayo, and parts of Antioquia.

The coordinated nature of the late April attacks suggests planning across multiple factions, though specific command structures have not been publicly confirmed.

What This Means for Expats

The direct risk depends entirely on where you are.

If you are in Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, the Coffee Region, or Santa Marta: the immediate impact is minimal. These attacks targeted highways and rural towns in conflict-affected departments. Major cities are not seeing violence related to this wave.

If you are in Cauca, Valle del Cauca, or Narino: you are closer to the action. Travel on major roads, particularly the Pan-American Highway between Cali and Popayan, may be disrupted or dangerous. The arson attacks in Jamundi are 20 minutes south of Cali, which is closer to urban areas than most expats expect.

Broader effects to watch for: increased military checkpoints on highways, potential disruptions to domestic bus routes through affected departments, and a general increase in security posture around election day.

How to Stay Safe

If you are in Colombia right now:

Postpone road travel through Cauca and southern Valle del Cauca. If you planned to drive or bus between Cali and Popayan, wait. Check with local authorities and bus companies before booking.
Monitor your embassy’s travel advisories. Several countries updated their Colombia warnings in late April. Register with your consulate if you have not already.
Plan around election day. Expect heightened security near polling stations and the possibility of demonstrations in major cities. Stay home or in a secure location on election day and the days immediately after.
Keep essentials ready. Passport, cash (small bills), phone charger, and any medications you need. Know where your nearest embassy or consulate is located.
Stick to daylight travel on highways. If you must drive in areas outside major cities, travel during the day and check road conditions before departing.

Should You Cancel Travel Plans

If your trip is to Medellin, Bogota, Cartagena, the Coffee Region, or the Caribbean coast, the risk from this specific wave of violence is low. These are not the areas under attack. Tourism infrastructure in those cities continues to operate normally.

If your itinerary includes Cauca, southern Valle del Cauca, Narino, or overland travel on the Pan-American Highway south of Cali, consider postponing or rerouting until the security situation stabilizes. The election period adds unpredictability.

If you have flexibility, waiting until late May or June, after the election and its immediate aftermath, is the more cautious choice. If you must travel sooner, make sure you have travel insurance that covers security-related disruptions.

Context for Long-Term Residents

Colombia has experienced cycles of pre-election violence before. Armed groups use these windows to demonstrate power, extract concessions, or influence political outcomes. This does not mean Colombia is unsafe as a whole. It means specific regions with active armed group presence become more dangerous during politically sensitive periods.

The vast majority of expats in Colombia live in cities that are far removed from these conflict zones. If you live in Medellin, Bogota, or along the Caribbean coast, your daily life is unlikely to change because of these events. Stay informed, avoid the affected areas, and do not make decisions based on headlines alone.

For the most current updates, check the Colombian Ministry of Defense and your embassy’s travel advisory page. You can also read our visa crackdown post for context on how Colombia’s political shifts affect expat policy.

Election Weekend Logistics

For the practical side — ley seca alcohol ban hours, Rumichaca and border closure windows, and what stays open during the May 30 – June 1 election weekend — see our election weekend logistics guide.