Explosives destroy Colombian toll booth day after president's inauguration

An explosive device destroyed a toll booth under construction on the Pan-American Highway in Colombia's Cauca region early Saturday. The attack occurred just one day after Abelardo de la Espriella's inauguration as president, an event that notably took place outside the capital of Bogotá for the first time.

A group of unidentified individuals detonated explosives at the Mondomo sector, located between Popayán and Cali, during the early morning hours. The blast completely destroyed the toll booth and led to the restriction of passage along the vital highway. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

This particular toll booth has been a target of attacks in the past, often during indigenous protests that also disrupted the infrastructure. The facility was in the final stages of reconstruction following previous damage.

The attack marks the first incident of its kind since the ultraconservative De la Espriella began his term. His inauguration ceremony on Friday proceeded without any disruptions from guerrilla groups or criminal organizations.