Violence surges in Colombia’s southwest as rebel attacks intensify before presidential poll
A series of explosive and drone strikes in Colombia’s volatile southwestern departments has left at least 21 people dead and deepened fears over public security as the country approaches a pivotal presidential election on 31 May. The deadliest incident took place on Saturday when a powerful bomb detonated on the Pan-American Highway near a tunnel between Cali and Popayán, in the municipality of Cajibío. The blast ripped through civilian vehicles, including a passenger bus, claiming lives and leaving dozens wounded. Colombian authorities have attributed the wave of assaults — at least 26 since Friday — to the Central General Staff…