Cali: The death toll from a series of explosions in southwestern Colombia has risen to 19, with 38 others injured, authorities said on Sunday. In a statement, officials said 19 bodies had been recovered, adding that police were continuing to search for missing persons.

According to Qatar News Agency, Colombian authorities blamed dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for the attacks. The initial blast targeted a military base in Cali, the country's third-largest city, on Friday evening, followed by a series of attacks in the regions of Valle del Cauca and Cauca.

The violence comes amid growing security concerns ahead of Colombia's presidential election scheduled for May 31.