7 November 2024 – A powerful explosion in a violent terrorist attack, aimed at the police station in the city of Guapi, in southwest Colombia, left three people dead and destroyed a large part of the bishop’s residence and offices of the Apostolic Vicariate of Guapi, in the early hours of 2 November.

The explosion left the Church buildings “practically destroyed, tearing down walls, doors, windows and the ceiling of the curia and of the bishops’ house, leaving them in ruins,” said Fr Arnulfo Moreno Quiñonez, the provicar of Guapi, who expressed his grief for the loss of human life and the effect of the explosion on the local community. “We regret the loss of life, the pain of the wounded, the grief of the families and the despair of a society that dreams of living in peace,” said Fr Moreno, who is a project partner of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

The Apostolic Vicariate of Guapi is located in a region near the Pacific coast with very deep humanitarian, material and spiritual needs, that is frequently rocked by conflict, tension and violence carried out by armed groups that operate outside of the law. The recent attack is thought to have been carried out by a rebel group and was likely aimed at the police station, which is very close to the Church buildings, but for some reason the blast occurred in the middle of the main square.

“It was before five in the morning, following a shootout. The hour of the day helped avoid a bigger tragedy, because the square is usually very busy, with lots of children, during the day. This is a terrible event for us and for the population of Guapi,” said Fr Moreno. “But with the help of God and with your prayers, we will move forward. Thank God the priest who sleeps in the curia was out on mission, otherwise he too would have been killed by the explosion. The material damage can be rebuilt, but you can’t replace human life,” he added.

The Bishops’ Conference of Colombia has already reacted to the explosion, with a strong statement against the attack, highlighting the devastating effect that these episodes of violence have on peace and social stability. “We strongly condemn the criminal acts that aim to spread panic and desolation, affecting the tranquillity of the populations and undermining social order. We call on those involved to cease this path of terror and invest in dialogue, which is the only way that leads to peace,” the statement reads.

In the same vein, Fr Moreno has called on the community to reject violence. “We invite everyone to get off the roads of panic and death and draw near to the ways of dialogue and reconciliation, so that together we can build, and enjoy peace as brothers.”

The Cauca Pacific region, where Guapi is located, has been at the centre of several conflicts over the past 40 years. Since the 1980s, drug traffickers have used the area as a port of exit and entry to the ocean. Insurgent incursions and illegal mining have created an atmosphere of violence, made worse by the state’s week presence. Currently, Guapi is also the scene of clashes between the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) armed dissident groups.

ACN calls for prayers for peace in this region, where conflict and violence particularly affect the most vulnerable members of the community. Despite the difficult situation, ACN has visited Guapi on several occasions over the past year, witnessing difficulties first-hand while evaluating future projects. The foundation has provided the vicariate with essential means of transport, including boats and outboard motors, as well as helping with the formation of catechists, thereby strengthening the pastoral and community work in the region.