In the rural northeast of Colombia, a soldier was killed and two others wounded in a horrifying explosive attack involving a mule loaded with explosives. Yes, you read that right — a mule! This shocking incident was confirmed by Antioquia Governor Andres Julian Rendon, who immediately blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN), an armed group of about 600 fighters engaged in a bloody conflict with the Colombian government. The target of this gruesome attack were soldiers patrolling near Valdivia, and the military condemned the “cruel and horrific use of animals in terrorist attacks.” While explosive attacks are unfortunately common in Colombia, using animals as weapons is rare — the last recorded case was in 2019 when a dog was loaded with explosives. President Gustavo Petro had earlier tried to start dialogue with the ELN and other armed groups aiming for “complete peace,” but talks broke down in January after the ELN launched an offensive that killed over 90 people. This mule-bomb attack only complicates the already fragile situation in Colombia and casts a shadow over peace efforts. Is this a new level of brutality or a desperate attempt to terrorize soldiers and civilians? Either way, it’s a chilling escalation of the conflict that deserves our full attention and condemnation. So, what do you think about using animals in warfare? Is this rock bottom or can it get worse? Drop your thoughts — let’s see who has the wildest theory!
