Bus in Colombia rigged with explosives intended for the president-elect discovered before inauguration

The Colombian authorities announced on Thursday that they had discovered a bus loaded with explosives, suspected of having been prepared to target President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who is expected in Cali on Friday for his inauguration ceremony. No passengers were on board the vehicle, which was ultimately destroyed in a controlled explosion.

The outgoing Colombian Minister of Defense had warned local media about the existence of a terrorist threat around the ceremony. The initial elements of the investigation point suspicion toward individuals linked to the FARC, the former Marxist guerrilla group, several dissident factions of which remain active.

Abelardo de la Espriella won the presidential election last June. His rise to power is expected to mark a turning point in relations between Colombia and Israel. Last month, he notably announced his intention to open a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem.

In the wake of his election, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar had announced the imminent resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries, after two years of rupture.

Gideon Sa'ar had met in Washington with the future Colombian Foreign Minister, Omar Bula Escobar. The two officials had agreed to officially restore relations after the inauguration of Abelardo de la Espriella, scheduled for August 7.

Diplomatic ties had been severed in May 2024 by former President Gustavo Petro. The Israeli ambassador was recalled a month later, while the Colombian ambassador left Israel in June of the same year.