Panama Condemns Attack on Colombian Police, Expresses Solidarity

The government of Panama has issued a strong condemnation of a recent bombing attack that targeted the National Police in Colombia's Norte de Santander department. The incident, which occurred just six days before the presidential inauguration of Abelardo de la Espriella, left several Colombian law enforcement officers injured.

Panama conveyed its "most energetic condemnation" of the attack and expressed solidarity with the government and people of Colombia. The nation specifically recognized the efforts of Colombian security forces in protecting citizens and upholding democratic order. The statement highlighted Panama's rejection of all forms of terrorism and violence, asserting that such acts have no place in democratic societies.

The attack involved the detonation of a truck bomb near a police station in Cúcuta, a city approximately 400 kilometers from Bogotá. The Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) guerrilla group claimed responsibility for the blast, which injured police officers and three civilians. According to regional governor William Villamizar, two of the injured officers are in critical condition, marking one of the most violent periods in Colombia in the last decade.

In its statement, Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wished the injured officers a swift recovery and sent a message of support to their families and the entire police institution. The ministry stressed that confronting such challenges requires inter-state cooperation, strengthening the rule of law, and a joint commitment to peace, security, and democracy. The Panamanian people, the statement concluded, stand with the Colombian people during this difficult time, reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.