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2003 Neiva bombing

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2003 Neiva bombing
Part of Colombian conflict
2003 Neiva bombing is located in Colombia
Neiva
Neiva
2003 Neiva bombing (Colombia)
LocationNeiva, Huila, Colombia
Date14 February 2003
WeaponsBomb
Deaths13
Injured66
Perpetrators FARC

The 2003 Neiva bombing was a major bomb attack carried out by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels in the city of Neiva, Colombia on February 14, 2003. Sixteen people died and a dozen others were injured after the explosion of a car bomb near Benito Salas Airport. Police claimed FARC tried to blow up a plane carrying President Álvaro Uribe who was flying overhead.[1] Nine police officers were among those who died. The explosive charge of the blast was 330-440 pounds.[2]

Police discovered the plot and raided the house. Because of this the terrorists decided to detonate the bomb at that moment instead, thus missing the President in the plane. The powerful blast managed to destroy five nearby houses and damaged 30 more.[3]

On the same day, two CIA operatives were captured by the guerillas in Colombia, whilst two others were thought to have been assassinated.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Murphy, Jarrett (2003-02-13). "Colombia Assassination Plot Blows Up". CBS News. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  2. ^ "Explosion in Southern Colombia Kills 16". Fox News. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  3. ^ Javier, Baena (2003-02-15). "15 killed by bomb 'meant for President'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-01. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  4. ^ McDermott, Jeremy (2003-02-15). "CIA agents killed or captured in Colombia". Telegraph. Retrieved 2018-07-14.