Wave of bomb and gun attacks in Colombia, 7 dead, over 50 injured

At least seven people have been killed and dozens more injured in a series of coordinated attacks in southwestern Colombia, local media report.

The attacks, which included car bombs, motorcycles rigged with explosives, gunfire and the use of a suspected drone, have hit the city of Cali – the country's third largest city – as well as several surrounding towns in the Cauca and Valle del Cauca regions.

According to Colombia's Defense Ministry, a total of 19 attacks have been recorded: 12 in the Cauca region and seven in Valle del Cauca. Two police officers are among the victims, while the number of injured ranges from 28 to more than 50 people, according to sources from Reuters and AFP.

Some local media reports that the attacks may have been carried out by a faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), however this link has not been officially confirmed and has not been independently verified.

In a statement on social media, the Ministry of Defense described the violence as "a desperate reaction by illegal armed groups to extensive military and police operations that have hit their illegal structures and economies."

The mayor of Cali said the security situation in the city is reminiscent of the dark years of 1989, when the city was plunged into violence due to drug cartels.