Drone attack hits Villa Rica toll station in Colombia's Cauca region

Unidentified attackers dropped explosives from drones onto the Villa Rica toll station in northern Cauca, Colombia, on the night of Sunday, November 8, 2026. The toll station is located on the Pan-American highway, which connects the region with the Valle del Cauca department and lies about 30 minutes from Cali.

The explosives struck the right-hand lane of the toll station at point PR 60+900. Although the station had four security barriers, they did not prevent the explosive device from falling on the facilities while private and cargo vehicles were passing through the area.

“In the era of the Tiger, the State does not kneel before criminals.”

Public security forces present in the sector reacted immediately and repelled the attack before a tragedy could occur. National Army units from the Light Cavalry Group No. 8 of Brigade 29 arrived at the scene and remained in the area to rule out new threats and verify security conditions.

Authorities initially reported no injuries or deaths, noting only material damage to infrastructure being assessed by the concession's technical teams. A later definitive balance confirmed that one civilian suffered minor injuries, while uniformed personnel were unharmed.

Unofficial versions suggest that Farc dissidents operating in northern Cauca may be behind the attack, though authorship has not been confirmed. The army said the harassment could be a response to recent military offensives against this armed group.

The incident adds to a wave of attacks against toll stations in Cauca and Valle del Cauca in recent weeks. Just 24 hours earlier, the Mondomo toll station in the rural area of Santander de Quilichao, also in northern Cauca, was targeted with explosives dropped from drones. Days before, another attack had struck the El Mango toll station in the Sierra.

President Abelardo De La Espriella strongly condemned the attack as a cowardly terrorist act intended to sow terror and paralyze the roads. He ordered the immediate deployment of public security forces to secure the area, protect the population, and locate those responsible, warning that narcoterrorist organizations have their days counted.