CUCUTA: Eleven people were injured in Colombia on Saturday when a truck packed with explosives detonated next to a police station near the border with Venezuela, six days before president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration.

Eyewitnesses saw the vehicle in flames, damaged building facades and police, soldiers and residents gathering around the scene of the attack in the northern city of Cucuta before security officials confirmed the number of injured.

“At this time, we have eight police officers and three civilians who have been injured,” George Quintero, security secretary for the department of Norte de Santander where the attack occurred, told reporters.

“This was an atrocious, violent act… and what happened is regrettable.”

De la Espriella condemned the bombing “in the strongest terms,” adding that “terrorism will not intimidate Colombia”.

The government offered a reward equivalent to more than $32,000 for information leading to the capture of those responsible.

The right-wing De la Espriella will take office on Aug 7 in the city of Cali, succeeding Gustavo Petro, the first leftist president in the Colombia’s history.

With the support of US President Donald Trump’s government, the millionaire lawyer promised to intensify the fight against guerillas and other drug trafficking organisations fu­­­e­­lling the country’s worst violence in a decade.

Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026