• A car bomb exploded in southwestern Colombia a day after President Abelardo de la Espriella's inauguration.
• Two dissident groups from the former FARC are suspected of carrying out the attack.
• President de la Espriella pledged a strong response to violence and emphasized security reforms.
• 117 prisoners linked to peace talks under the previous administration have been transferred to maximum-security prisons.
• The attack underscores ongoing security challenges in Colombia amidst a polarized political climate.

A car bomb detonated at a toll plaza on the Pan-American Highway in southwestern Colombia, just one day after conservative lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella took office as the new president. The explosion has raised significant security concerns as the military attributed the attack to two dissident factions that broke away from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which rejected a peace agreement signed in 2016. Two security guards sustained minor injuries in the blast, which witnesses said was caused by an abandoned vehicle left by an individual who fled the scene on a motorcycle, according to Al Jazeera, Los Angeles Times, and India Times.

In response to the attack, President de la Espriella emphasized his administration's commitment to restoring order and strengthening security against criminal activities. During his inaugural speech, he warned that illegal groups had only two options: "submit to the rule of law or confront the security forces." This stance aligns with his overarching goal to implement a more aggressive approach to security issues, moving away from dialogue and towards military action against organized crime, as reported by Los Angeles Times and India Times.

Transportation Minister Elsa Noguera condemned the bombing and highlighted that Colombia will not succumb to violence, stating: "Colombia will not kneel before violence, nor will it allow the destruction of the infrastructure that connects our regions." She also noted that measures were being taken to restore traffic along the affected route, and security personnel were deployed to search for further explosive devices. This rapid action reflects the government's intention to regain control and maintain public safety in the wake of ongoing threats, according to Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.

In an additional security measure, the new president announced the transfer of 117 inmates related to previous peace negotiations to maximum-security prisons, aimed at curbing the influence of organized crime within penitentiaries. This action signifies a clear departure from the negotiation approach favored by his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, and highlights the intensifying tension within Colombia's political landscape. De la Espriella's administration faces strong opposition, particularly from Petro, who contested his victory and alleged electoral fraud, despite consecutive validations by electoral authorities and international observers, as reported by Los Angeles Times and India Times.