The guerrilla group detonated a bomb hidden inside a “Panela” block, murdering NGO leader Maria Elizabeth Quiróz. “Panela” is a byproduct of sugar cane, widely popular in Colombia and all of Latin America as a natural sweetener, and dissolved in hot water as the “beverage of the people.”
Colombia’s fourth brigade officials said in a statement that the explosion happened inside a private home in North-West Antioquia.
Authorities said Quiróz was known in the area for her relentless social efforts, and her many community service endeavors. She had been a victim of FARC once before, in 1999, when antisocial bandits from the 36th front of the terrorist group, assassinated her brother.
The explosion also caused minor wounds to a passerby, and two engineer soldiers working in the nearby construction of a road.
