Russian Foreign Ministry Condemns Deadly Car Bomb Attack Near Police Academy In Bogota

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned on Friday the deadly car bomb attack that hit the General Santander National Police Academy in Bogota and expressed hope for a successful conclusion of the peace process in Colombia

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th January, 2019) The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned on Friday the deadly car bomb attack that hit the General Santander National Police Academy in Bogota and expressed hope for a successful conclusion of the peace process in Colombia.

On Thursday, a bomb-laden car broke through a checkpoint near the academy, which is one of the main educational facilities of the Colombian police, and exploded on its premises. As a result of the attack, at least 20 people were killed and over 60 others sustained injuries.

"According to the available information, there are no Russian citizens among the victims. We reaffirm our stance that we categorically condemn all kinds of terrorist acts. We expect the organizers of this vile act to be identified and punished," the statement, published on the ministry's official website, said.

The Foreign Ministry also expressed its solidarity with the Colombian people, conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"We support a successful conclusion of the peaceful settlement process in Colombia," the statement added.

Since the 1960s, Bogota has been involved in an armed conflict with two major rebel movements: the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN), which is estimated to have several thousand militants.

While FARC signed a historic peace deal with Bogota back in 2016, the ELN militants continue to wage a guerrilla war against the Colombian government. In February 2017, the group, however, followed in FARC's footsteps and entered peace talks with Bogota.