An attack on a Colombian National Police helicopter and a suspected car bombing near a military air base killed at least 19 people Thursday in what Colombian authorities are describing as terrorist acts.
It’s unclear whether the events are related.
The police helicopter was attacked by a drone in the department of Antioquia as it was supporting the manual eradication of illicit crops in the area, Antioquia Gov. Andrés Julián Rendón said.
The governor posted a video that appears to show the helicopter crashing into a hill.
Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez said the attack was carried out by the 36th Front of the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), dissidents of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a disbanded leftist guerrilla group.
At least 13 officers were killed, according to National Police Director Carlos Fernando Triana Beltrán, who described the attack as a “terrorist act.”
Earlier, President Gustavo Petro suggested the powerful criminal syndicate Gulf Clan might be involved, noting the attack came after the seizure of 1.5 tons of cocaine in the Urabá region of Antioquia. But he later blamed the 36th Front of EMC.
On Friday, the military said it was firing artillery to try to neutralize the group that brought down the helicopter.
News of the helicopter attack came the same day as an explosion near the Marco Fidel Suárez military air base in Cali.
The blast left at least six people dead and 78 wounded, the mayor’s office said.
The Colombian Aerospace Force described it as a “terrorist attack,” saying it was perpetrated with a car bomb.
Authorities have secured the city’s entrances and exits, the mayor’s office said, and temporarily restricted the movement of trucks.
Mayor Alejandro Eder said emergency services were treating the injured. He announced a reward of 400 million pesos (just under $100,000) for anyone providing information about the attack.
So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
In June, a series of attacks in Cali and other towns in Cauca left at least seven dead and 28 injured. At the time, the prosecutor’s office said the attacks were in response to the 2022 death of a local leader of the FARC dissidents.
He’s FINISHED! Mamdani’s Campaign IMPLODES—Even Democrats PANIC & Jump Ship!
Washington, D.C. — What began as a promising campaign for Congressman Tariq Mamdani has rapidly devolved into a political catastrophe, leaving allies scrambling and even longtime Democratic supporters reconsidering their allegiance. Sources close to the campaign say the implosion is unprecedented, marking one of the most dramatic collapses in recent electoral memory.
Mamdani, a freshman congressman known for his ambitious policy proposals and aggressive grassroots outreach, was initially considered a rising star in Democratic politics. His message of progressive reform, combined with a charismatic public persona, drew enthusiastic crowds and significant media attention. For months, analysts predicted a strong showing in the upcoming midterm elections.
But cracks began to appear after a series of high-profile gaffes and controversial statements. During a televised town hall last week, Mamdani’s remarks on national security and economic policy sparked outrage among both moderate Democrats and independent voters. While some saw his candidness as refreshing, critics argue that it revealed a lack of strategic judgment at a crucial political moment.
The fallout was swift. Key Democratic donors, once loyal to Mamdani’s campaign, reportedly paused or withdrew funding entirely. Several high-ranking party officials privately expressed frustration over his messaging strategy, fearing it could cost the party valuable seats in the upcoming elections. According to insiders, a handful of Democratic operatives even began exploring alternative candidates, signaling panic within the party ranks.
Social media amplified the crisis, with viral posts and memes painting Mamdani as reckless and unprepared. In particular, opposition groups seized on his remarks, framing them as emblematic of a candidate out of touch with everyday Americans. The narrative gained traction, leading to a surge of negative press coverage that campaign aides are struggling to contain.
In an effort to regain control, Mamdani’s team attempted a series of public clarifications and policy resets. Yet, each response appeared only to compound the perception of instability. Political strategists warn that the candidate’s credibility is rapidly eroding, and voter confidence is plummeting at a critical moment in the campaign cycle.
Even within his own party, the mood has shifted. Veteran Democrats who initially praised Mamdani’s vision now voice concern over his viability. Some are reportedly urging him to pivot or risk handing the opposition an uncontested path to victory. “We believed in the message,” one anonymous Democratic strategist said. “But at this rate, the optics are devastating. It’s hard to see a path forward without a dramatic turnaround.”
Mamdani, for his part, has doubled down on his policy agenda, emphasizing the importance of sticking to core principles rather than succumbing to political pressure. He maintains a loyal base of grassroots supporters, but party insiders worry that their numbers are insufficient to counteract mounting losses in donor support and public perception.
Analysts note that the coming weeks will be decisive. If Mamdani cannot stabilize his campaign and rebuild confidence among Democrats and swing voters, the collapse may become irreversible. Already, political commentators are comparing this situation to some of the most spectacular campaign failures in recent history, underscoring how quickly fortunes can reverse in modern politics.
Whether Mamdani can recover or is truly “finished” remains uncertain, but the current landscape paints a grim picture for a candidate once thought unstoppable. As Democrats scramble to contain the fallout, one thing is clear: the 2025 election cycle just witnessed one of its most shocking campaign implosions, and the consequences may ripple far beyond a single congressional race.