An explosion badly damaged a toll station in Neiva, southern Colombia, at about 12:40 a.m. local time on Sunday 15 November 2026. No injuries were reported, according to the Colombian news outlets Semana (a news magazine) and Blu Radio (a radio network).
The toll sits on the highway linking Neiva, capital of the Huila department, with Bogotá. Travellers on that corridor, including US visitors and expats, may meet closed tolls and extra checks.
Local media disagree on the device, and the reports cited here carry no official statement on its type. Semana and Blu Radio describe a car bomb, while Vanguardia, a Colombian newspaper, and other outlets report a motorcycle bomb.
FARC dissidents are armed splinter groups that rejected the 2016 peace deal with Colombia’s former FARC guerrilla army. Iván Mordisco is the alias of the leader of one such group. A toll concessionaire is a private company that runs a road’s toll stations under a government contract.
What We Know
Semana reported on 15 November, citing preliminary information, that the blast struck the Neiva toll on the road to Bogotá. Semana put the time at about 12:40 a.m., and Blu Radio placed the toll on the exit toward Aipe, a town near Neiva.
Semana and Blu Radio both reported on 15 November that nobody was hurt. Semana described considerable material damage, and Blu Radio reported serious damage to the toll booths.
Semana reported on 15 November that police of Neiva (the Policía Metropolitana de Neiva) and emergency services went to the site. Blu Radio said the road was closed in the area while authorities inspected it.
Semana and Blu Radio describe a vehicle loaded with explosives, a car bomb, while Vanguardia and other outlets describe a motorcycle bomb. Local media differ on this point, and the reports cited here carry no official statement on the device type.
Semana’s initial report says two men reportedly abandoned the vehicle. Blu Radio’s initial report says a man arrived at the toll in the vehicle, got out and fled on a motorcycle seconds before the blast; neither account is established fact.
Blu Radio alone attributes the attack to the Ismael Ruiz structure, a unit of FARC dissidents, which it places under the Bloque Central Isaías Pardo and the command of a man known as “Iván Mordisco”. Semana and Vanguardia name no culprit.
No authority has confirmed responsibility. Vanguardia, a Colombian newspaper, reported on 1 November that an explosion in Algeciras, Huila, on the night of 31 October 2026 killed at least one police officer.
Blu Radio noted the two attacks came less than 15 days apart, but police have not said they are connected. Concesionaria Ruta al Sur, the company that runs the tolls, temporarily closed three Huila tolls, Semana reported: Los Cauchos, Laberinto (Gigante) and Altamira.
Semana also reported that a vehicle was left at the Los Cauchos toll at about 1:09 a.m., and that experts were working to deactivate it.ITTHUILA, the Huila transport and traffic institute, said on 15 November that a vehicle sat abandoned in a lane at the Los Cauchos toll.
Authorities were checking it.ITTHUILA announced preventive security measures at Huila tolls, Semana reported on 15 November.
It advised drivers to avoid the affected areas and use alternative routes if needed.
What Is Not Known
No authority has said who carried out the attack, and the motive is unknown. The 12:40 a.m. figure comes from Semana’s preliminary information.
The device type remains unconfirmed, because local media describe both a car bomb and a motorcycle bomb. It is also not known whether the vehicle at Los Cauchos held explosives.
Authorities had not said how long the three closed tolls will stay shut. Readers should treat these accounts as early reports that may change.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
The Neiva–Bogotá road is a main route for travellers, so closures at tolls can slow journeys through Huila. Drivers, bus passengers and freight operators on the corridor are the people most affected.
US citizens and expats should check route status before travelling and follow local authorities. ITTHUILA’s advice is to avoid the affected areas and use alternative routes if needed.
Authorities were checking the area and the abandoned vehicle, which may mean delays. The US State Department publishes travel advisories for Colombia, which readers can consult before they travel.
This report covers only what had been published by 14:00 GMT on 15 November. Our Colombia section carries later coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Neiva toll booth?
An explosion damaged a toll booth on the Neiva–Bogotá road at about 12:40 a.m. on 15 November 2026, according to Semana. No injuries were reported.
Who is responsible for the Neiva blast?
No authority has confirmed responsibility. Blu Radio alone names the Ismael Ruiz structure of FARC dissidents.
Are the nearby tolls open?
Ruta al Sur, the toll operator, temporarily closed the Los Cauchos, Laberinto and Altamira tolls, Semana reported. No reopening time had been published.
What should travellers in Huila do?
Check route status, follow local authorities and avoid the affected areas. ITTHUILA advised using alternative routes if needed.
Sources: Semana; Semana (Los Cauchos); Blu Radio; Vanguardia; Vanguardia (Algeciras).