Incident Summary:

12/24/1999: A bomb exploded outside of the Colombo Americano Center in Cali, Colombia. The bomb, which contained 5 kg of indogel, damaged the center and injured 2 people. The Colombian Patriotic Resistance claimed responsibility for the attacks in a communiqué sent to the press. Police believed the Colombian Patriotic Resistance was a front for drug traffickers to exert pressure towards the suspension of extradition or "in retaliation for the government's anti-drug actions.

GTD ID:
199912240006

When:
1999-12-24

Country:
Colombia

Region:
South America

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Valle del Cauca

City:
Cali

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Business
Name of Entity Colombo Americano center
Specific Description Colombo Americano Center in Cali, Colombia
Nationality of Target Colombia
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Other Explosive Type
Weapon Details
The bomb contained 5 kg of indogel.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information This was one of three related attacks (cf. 199912240005-07). The Colombian Patriotic Resistance stated that it is "radically" opposed to the extradition of drug traffickers. The group may have targeted the business due to its ties with American firms.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Colombian Patriotic Resistance Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Letter)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators Unknown
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 2 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 2
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
“Christmas Eve Bombs Rock Bogotá, Cali; 7 Injured,” NOTIMEX, December 25, 1999.
“Christmas Eve rebel attacks leave seven injured in Colombia,” Agence France Presse, December 25, 1999.
“Christmas Attacks Attributed to Drug Traffickers Opposed to Extradition,” El Colombiano, December 28, 1999.