Car Bomb Attack at Los Patios Police Station Leaves One Dead and Eleven Injured

A car bomb exploded in front of the Los Patios Police station in the Cúcuta metropolitan area of Norte de Santander on the night of August 31, 2026. The attack occurred around 11:10 or 11:15 p.m. and resulted in the death of one person, identified by the mayor of Los Patios as a young Venezuelan. Eleven other people were injured, including two police officers; one officer suffered the loss of a leg and the other is in critical condition. The explosion caused an incendio and significant material damage to police infrastructure and nearby vehicles.

President Abelardo de la Espriella announced he will travel to the department to lead an extraordinary Security Council with the military and police leadership. He stated that the state will not leave any region alone and that those who attempt to sow fear will face the full force of the state. The Governor of Norte de Santander, William Villamizar Laguado, and the Procurator General, Gregorio Eljach, also condemned the attack and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Regarding responsibility, the acting commander of the Cúcuta Metropolitan Police, Colonel Jimmy Arley Belalcázar Oñate, confirmed that the ELN is responsible for the attack. The Secretary of Security of Norte de Santander, George Quintero, also suggested ELN involvement based on previous attacks in the area. However, other reports note that no armed group had officially claimed responsibility at the time of reporting. The Defensoría del Pueblo, led by Iris Marín, stated that the attack ignored international humanitarian law by indiscriminately affecting civilians and civilian property. The agency had previously issued an early warning regarding the presence of the ELN and the Clan del Golfo in the region, as well as organized crime groups such as Tren de Aragua and AK-47.