Colombian Authorities Find Explosive-Laden Bus Targeting Incoming President Abelardo De La Espriella

Colombian security forces discovered a bus loaded with 420 kilograms of explosives suspected to be intended for an attack on the president-elect Abelardo De La Espriella. The bus was found ahead of De La Espriella's inauguration scheduled for August 7 in Cali. Authorities confirmed there were no passengers on the rigged bus, which was subsequently detonated in a controlled explosion.

De La Espriella won the presidential election in June and is expected to shift Colombia's diplomatic stance toward Israel. Last month, Colombia announced plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem. This move follows the restoration of diplomatic relations between Israel and Colombia after a two-year break, which was severed by former President Gustavo Petro in May 2024.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met with Colombia's incoming Foreign Minister Omar Bola Escobar in Washington, agreeing to renew ties concurrent with De La Espriella's inauguration. The Israeli ambassador returned to Colombia a month after the diplomatic break, while the Colombian ambassador left Israel two years ago. The article also briefly mentions a recent military plane crash in southern Colombia involving 110 soldiers, unrelated to the attack plot.