Mexico arrests 10 Colombian ex-soldiers after deadly blast

Ten Colombian former soldiers were among the suspects arrested after an improvised landmine killed six Mexican troops in a drug cartel heartland this week, authorities said Friday. More than 40 explosive devices were seized along with other weapons in the Read More …

Colombia’s Bicentenario pipeline stops pumping after attack

Pumping on Colombia’s Bicentenario pipeline was suspended after an attack with explosives, its operator Cenit, a subsidiary of state-run energy company Ecopetrol, said on Thursday. The attack, in Arauca province, was committed by an unknown group, Cenit said in a Read More …

Venezuela suspends flights from Colombia after arrests of ‘mercenaries’

Venezuela has suspended flights from neighbouring Colombia after authorities detained more than 30 people allegedly plotting activities to destabilise the country before Sunday’s parliamentary election. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced on state television on Monday that the flight ban Read More …

Brazilian police arrest 2 suspects over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga’s concert in Rio

Two individuals were arrested in connection with an alleged planned attack targeting Lady Gaga’s free concert on Copacabana Beach, Brazilian Civil Police confirmed. The suspects – one adult male detained in Rio Grande do Sul and a teenager arrested in Read More …

Colombia: Sok, the explosive detection trained dog that prevented attacks in Neiva, department of Huila

Under pressure of the Military Forces, the perpetrators abandoned a cloth bag containing four explosive devices, each weighing approximately one kilogram, in a wooded area. The troops moved to the place, and following the security protocols, the Sok on a Read More …

Bolivia: An explosion at a standoff between rival gold miners kills at least 5 people

A powerful explosion killed at least five people, including a pregnant woman and 1-year-old baby, during a standoff between rival groups of gold miners early Thursday in northwestern Bolivia, police said, a rare instance of territorial disputes between the nation’s Read More …

New Frontlines and an Uncertain Future for Mine Clearance in Colombia

Nearly a decade after the landmark 2016 Peace Agreement between the Colombian government and a communist guerilla group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the prevalence of landmines remains a critical issue in the country. As mine Read More …

Ecuador: Vehicle explosion outside Guayaquil Littoral Penitentiary leaves a prison guard dead

An explosion in the early hours of Thursday outside the Guayaquil Littoral Penitentiary, the most dangerous in Ecuador, left one guard dead and two injured and once again alarmed the inhabitants of the area, who have seen their routine altered Read More …

Colombia: Violent turf war in Bogotá’s San Bernardo leaves three dead, nine injured

An explosion rocked Bogotá’s San Bernardo neighborhood on the night of Wednesday, March 12, leaving three dead and nine injured. Authorities confirmed the incident was caused by a grenade, which detonated near the Bicentenario station of TransMilenio, at the intersection Read More …

Colombia: 17 hurt in explosion in Morales, as peace talks break down

An apparent bomb attack in Colombia’s restive southwest wounded 17 people on Monday including three children and two police officers, authorities said, amid growing concern for a fragile peace process. A device, probably a bomb attached to a motorcycle, exploded Read More …

Mexico: Jalisco Cartel using fake bodyguard job ads to recruit ex Colombian soldiers to produce landmines

The Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) is actively recruiting Colombian soldiers in order to handle the installation and production of explosives, more concretely landmines, according to testimony from a former Colombian soldier. The former member of Colombia’s armed forces was Read More …

Colombia: At least 80 people killed in northeast as peace talks fail

More than 80 people have been killed in the country’s northeast region following failed attempts to hold peace talks with the National Liberation Army, a Colombian official said. Twenty others have been injured, according to William Villamizar, governor of North Read More …

Cuba declares 13 soldiers dead after blast at military warehouse

Thirteen soldiers have died in a fire and ensuing explosion at a military warehouse in the eastern province of Holguin over a week ago, Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (Minfar) said Wednesday. Investigations and analyses conducted by specialists Read More …

Humanitarian Mine Action Program Builds Explosive Ordnance Disposal Capability in Peru

United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) conducted a three-week intermediate-level Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) course for the Peruvian Armed Forces as part of its Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program. The HMA program in Peru incorporates a whole of government approach to Read More …

Colombia: Motorcycle loaded with explosives detonated in killing 1 and injuring 14

A motorcycle loaded with explosives detonated at a police checkpoint in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, killing the driver and injuring 14 others, authorities said. Officers had been conducting inspections in the community of Las Penas in the Jamundi municipality to Read More …

INTERPOL: More than 28,000 kg of explosives, 3,400 IEDs seized in South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – An operation in South America has resulted in the seizure of more than 28,000kg of explosive materials, 3,400 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and thousands of other components used in their manufacture. Operation Claymore (11 August – Read More …

Mexico Sends Dozens of Special Forces Troops To Sinaloa In Bid To Counter Ongoing Cartel Violence

Almost three months since the streets of Sinaloa were set ablaze due to territorial conflicts between “Los Chapitos” and “La Mayiza,” two of the Sinaloa Cartel’s most prominent factions, local and federal government officials continue to make efforts in order Read More …

Venezuela: Eleven people arrested after explosion, fire at gas complex

Eleven people have been arrested as part of an investigation into an explosion and fire at a major gas complex last week, Venezuela’s vice-president and oil minister Delcy Rodriguez said on Monday. The Muscar gas complex in the country’s eastern Read More …

Brazil: Suspected bomber dead after trying to enter Brazil’s Supreme Court ahead of G20

A man killed himself with a bomb outside Brazil’s Supreme Court after trying to enter the building on Wednesday, officials said, stirring security concerns before the country hosts global leaders from the Group of 20 major economies. The blasts come Read More …

Colombia: Three dissidents dead and two police officers injured after bomb attack in Guapi, Cauca

A strong explosion in Guapi, Cauca, which was part of an attack by FARC dissidents against the police station, left three dissidents dead, two policemen injured and a part of the center of the municipality destroyed. According to the first Read More …