Bus burned, highway blocked in Colombia after leader's capture

Travelers were trapped early Sunday morning as armed men blocked the Pan-American Highway in Colombia's Cauca region and set a bus on fire. The incident occurred in the Mandivá sector, near Santander de Quilichao, following the capture of a prominent regional leader known as alias 'Marlon'.

Reports indicate the bus had broken down before individuals arrived and set it ablaze. The road, a crucial artery connecting Cali and Popayán, remained blocked for hours, causing significant disruption. Travelers expressed concern over the recurring security issues on this vital route, which is essential for regional supply and connectivity.

General Carlos Oviedo of the National Police confirmed the bus incineration and stated that security forces are deployed to regain control of the area and ensure safety. Authorities are investigating the exact circumstances and seeking to identify those responsible. This incident follows a separate report of a hostile act against a police substation in the southern Cauca region the previous night.