Pope Leo XIV expressed pain over the wave of violence in southwestern Colombia during his general audience on April 29 and called for choosing peace. Attacks starting April 24 have left dozens dead, including 21 in an explosion on the Cali-Popayán road. Authorities attribute the incidents to EMC dissident factions.
Pope Leo XIV voiced his concern during the general audience on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, broadcast by the Vatican channel. "With pain and concern I have learned of the tragic violence afflicting southwestern Colombia, which has caused grave loss of human lives," the pontiff stated. He added: "I express my closeness in prayer to the victims and their families and exhort everyone to reject any form of violence and decisively choose the path of peace".
Since April 24, at least 26 attacks against civilians and military installations have been recorded in departments like Cauca and Valle del Cauca. One of the gravest incidents was an explosion on the road between Cali and Popayán that killed at least 21 people. These events raise alarms due to their impact on civilian populations.
Colombian authorities attribute the attacks to Farc dissidents known as Estado Mayor Central, led by Néstor Vera, alias Iván Mordisco. The group did not join the 2016 peace accord and maintains a presence in areas with disputes over drug trafficking and illegal mining. Dialogues started late in 2023 broke down in April 2024, leading to an escalation involving explosives, kidnappings, and extortion.
Colombian bishops also urged armed actors to cease violent actions and respect international humanitarian law. They warned that persisting in violence "only deepens the people's suffering and destroys the social fabric". They called on the State to strengthen its institutional presence to protect the population.
