At least three police officers were killed and 14 wounded on Saturday by an early morning bomb attack outside a police station in Colombia’s coastal city of Barranquilla, authorities said.
“We think it could be retaliation by these groups who have recently been greatly impacted,” Botero said in comments broadcast by Caracol Radio, referring to crime gangs active in the port city.
Botero said one person had been arrested in connection with the bombing, and that police suspect others were involved.
President Juan Manuel Santos sent his condolences to the families of those killed and injured, and said on Twitter that the government would not rest until those responsible were brought to justice.
Colombia has myriad crime gangs, some which operate across large swaths of rural territory and others in major cities. Many are involved in the production and trafficking of cocaine, largely to the United States and Europe, as well as extortion and other crimes.
