Colombia: Explosion at Cocaine Lab – At Least Nine Dead

An explosion at an illegal cocaine laboratory in southwestern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador, has killed at least nine people and injured ten others. The explosion, which occurred in the early hours of January 23rd, was caused by a gas canister exploding during the drug-making process. The lab was located in an indigenous community in the Nariño department, an area known for coca crops and the presence of rebel groups. The victims were working for a dissenting faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who did not sign the 2016 peace agreement. The Colombian police are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident and identifying any further persons involved. The incident highlights the risks associated with illegal drug production and the presence of armed groups in the area. Colombia has been facing the challenge of combating the illegal production and trafficking of cocaine for years, which fuels violence and corruption in the country.