A truck packed with explosives detonated Saturday near a police station in the northern Colombian city of Cúcuta, wounding at least 11 people, officials said, in an attack that comes six days before president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is sworn into office.
Eight police officers and three civilians were injured in the blast, according to George Quintero, security chief of Norte de Santander department. Attackers detonated the vehicle, hurled additional explosives and opened fire on the building, local authorities said.
De la Espriella, a U.S.-backed right-wing figure who has pledged to intensify the fight against guerrillas and drug cartels, is due to be inaugurated on August 7 in the western city of Cali. He succeeds outgoing leftist President Gustavo Petro, the country's first and only left-leaning president to date.