Bogotá, August 22 — At least 18 people were killed in Colombia on Thursday in two major incidents of violence, including a deadly attack on a police helicopter and a separate car bomb explosion in Cali. Authorities have blamed dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for both assaults.

Officials confirmed that a National Police Black Hawk helicopter was struck mid-air by explosives while flying over Antioquia province on an anti-drug mission. The aircraft caught fire and crashed, killing all 12 officers on board. This marks one of the deadliest single-day losses for Colombian security forces in recent years.

Hours later, a powerful car bomb detonated near a military aviation school in the city of Cali. The blast killed six people and left more than 70 others injured, with several buildings and vehicles in the area severely damaged. Police said one suspect linked to the vehicle has been detained, though investigations are still underway.

President Gustavo Petro condemned the violence, calling it a “cowardly attack” and warning that such actions threaten the country’s ongoing efforts to achieve peace. He accused FARC dissidents, who refused to lay down arms after the 2016 peace deal, of attempting to destabilize Colombia through renewed acts of terror.

The government’s “total peace” initiative, aimed at ending conflict through dialogue, now faces fresh challenges as armed groups expand operations in rural and urban areas. Security forces across the country have been placed on high alert.