Pope prays for victims of violence in southwestern Colombia

By Devin Watkins

Pope Leo XIV recalled escalating violence in southwestern Colombia as he greeted Spanish-speaking pilgrims at the Wednesday General Audience.

Rebel groups have carried out at least 26 attacks against civilians and military bases since last Friday, killing dozens of people.

In his greetings, the Pope recalled the situation in Colombia “with sorrow and concern.”

He lamented the “serious loss of human life” and prayed for the victims of violence in the region.

“I express my closeness in prayer to the victims and their families,” he said, “and I exhort everyone to reject every form of violence and to decisively choose the path of peace.”

Escalating violence ahead of May elections

The spate of violence comes ahead of Colombia’s presidential elections, which are scheduled for May 31.

Government authorities have blamed the attacks on a group known as the FARC-EMC, an offshoot of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebel group which disbanded as part of a 2016 peace deal with the nation’s government.

The group has allegedly carried out at least 26 attacks since April 24, killing dozens of people.

On Saturday, a deadly blast on a highway between the cities of Cali and Popayan killed 21 people.

According to analysts, the FARC-EMC could be seeking to demonstrate its lethal capabilities and establish its credibility to whomever is elected President in late May.

It is led by Nestor Vera—commonly known as Iván Mordisco—who refused to join the 2016 peace deal.

The rebels have developed a strong presence in the provinces of Cauca and Valle del Cauca, fighting for control of drug trafficking routes and illegal gold mines.

The group began peace talks with the Colombian government in late 2023, but a faction abandoned the talks in April 2024 and renewed its fight against the government.

The FARC-EMC has used drones and car bombs to intimidate local residents, as well as carrying out kidnappings and levying taxes on those who live in the area to raise revenue.