Avianca Flight 203

Avianca Boeing 727-21 HK-1803

Avianca Flight 203 was a scheduled domestic flight from El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, to Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport in Cali, Colombia. On November 27, 1989, the Boeing 727 operating the flight was destroyed by a bomb, killing all 107 people on board and 3 people on the ground. The incident is one of the deadliest attacks in the history of Colombian aviation and marked a dark chapter in the country's struggle with internal terrorism.

Background

The flight was targeted as part of the ongoing conflict between the Colombian government and various drug cartels. At the time, Colombia was in the midst of a violent struggle with drug lords, who had declared an all-out war against the government in an effort to avoid extradition to the United States. The bombing of Avianca Flight 203 is attributed to the Medellín Cartel, a powerful and violent drug trafficking organization led by Pablo Escobar.

Bombing

The bomb was reportedly placed on the aircraft by a man who was led to believe he was smuggling diamonds for the cartel. In reality, the suitcase he checked contained about 500 grams of explosives. The aircraft had barely been in the air for a few minutes when the bomb detonated, causing the plane to disintegrate in mid-air and crash into the mountains east of Bogotá. All 107 passengers and crew aboard the flight were killed instantly. The explosion also caused damage on the ground and resulted in the deaths of three people.

Aftermath

The bombing of Avianca Flight 203 had profound impacts on Colombia and its fight against drug cartels. It led to increased security measures at airports and a more aggressive stance by the Colombian government against drug trafficking organizations. The incident also drew international attention to the severity of Colombia's internal security issues and the global threat posed by drug cartels.

In the years following the bombing, several members of the Medellín Cartel were captured or killed. Pablo Escobar, the cartel's leader, was killed in a police operation in 1993, significantly weakening the cartel and altering the dynamics of drug trafficking in Colombia.

Investigation

The investigation into the bombing was a complex and lengthy process, involving Colombian authorities and international agencies. It was eventually determined that the Medellín Cartel was responsible for the attack, with the intention of assassinating a presidential candidate who was believed to be on board. However, the intended target was not on the flight.

Legacy

The bombing of Avianca Flight 203 remains one of the most tragic events in Colombian aviation history. It is remembered as a stark reminder of the country's violent past and the devastating impact of the drug trade. The event has been commemorated in various ways, including documentaries and books, and continues to be a subject of study for those interested in the history of terrorism, aviation security, and the drug wars in Colombia.