Explosive-laden truck attack in Planadas kills four, including infant

An explosive-laden truck detonated in a residential area of Planadas, in southern Tolima, late on Sunday, November 1, 2026, near the local military base. The blast killed four people, including a two-month-old baby, according to Tolima Governor Adriana Matiz.

The explosion occurred in the Aeropuerto neighborhood, close to the military garrison. Authorities said the truck had come from Ataco and was carrying explosives. Preliminary reports also indicate that drones carrying explosive devices may have been used before the truck detonation.

“This is inadmissible! My solidarity with the families. We demand justice and strong actions to stop this barbarity.”

The blast destroyed several homes in the sector and caused a fire at a local pharmacy. The municipal Centro Hospital suffered damage to about 80 percent of its infrastructure and was evacuated.

Governor Matiz said the attack appeared intended to target the military base but instead struck the local hospital and nearby houses. She preliminarily attributed the attack to Farc dissidents, specifically the Jeronimo Galeano Front, and warned of possible new attacks in other southern municipalities.

Matiz called for increased public security presence in the region and demanded justice and strong actions to stop the violence. She shared her statement on social media, describing the deaths as inadmissible.

A curfew was announced by Planadas Mayor Juan Camilo Hueje in response to the seriousness of the situation.