3 explosions at health insurers in Colombia’s capital

By Richard McColl

BOGOTA, Colombia

Security forces in Bogota are investigating circumstances surrounding three explosive devices that were detonated in the Colombian capital early Tuesday.

The low-grade explosives caused no injuries and very little damage to the offices of two national health insurance companies, Salud Total and Cafesalud.

“Let me clarify that the explosions were very weak,” Gen. Hoover Penilla, commander of the Bogota police said during a press conference. “We are investigating. The explosives were placed in the bathrooms in each location and were not strong enough to even show damage on the street side of the buildings,” he said.

National newspaper El Espectador published a photograph of a leaflet allegedly found at one of the bomb sites that criticized peace talks between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian government.

“Neither Santos nor Uribe are an option for the people. Peace for the rich is not peace for the population,” the leaflet said that was signed by a group claiming to be the Revolutionary Movement of the People.

The country’s security secretary offered a reward for anyone with information regarding those who may be responsible.

While no group or individual has claimed responsibility, explosions are not uncommon in Bogota.

Two locations of a pension fund operator, Porvenir, were attacked in July 2015, leaving sizable structural damage. The attack is believed to be reprisal for unpaid protection fees. In December 2015 an explosive device was detonated at the location of another health insurance provider, SaludCoop.