79 policemen detained by residents released in Colombia

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated in his statement that the police and company employees were released and that he would go to the region to solve the problems of the inhabitants.

“Today, thanks to the efforts of the Minister of Defense and Interior, all police personnel and the powers of the oil companies held by the residents of San Vicente del Caguan have been released,” said Petro.

Recalling that they are a government of dialogue, Petro said: “I will personally listen to the needs, complaints and demands of the residents. The prosecution must investigate and determine who the murderers are and who should be prosecuted.

After the events, the Defense and Interior Ministers, who went to the region, met with the released policemen.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the rural area of ​​Los Pozos, in the town of San Vicente del Caguan, there were clashes between security forces and residents who were protesting the activities of a private oil company in the region.

In the incidents, a policeman and a civilian lost their lives, and 79 policemen and 9 company employees were detained by the residents.

In local media news, it was reported that the violence began with the capture of 9 company employees by the residents and that during that time 79 police officers from the Colombian riot unit ESMAD, who arrived in the region, were detained.

Petro, in statements to the press, asked the protesters for the immediate release of the security forces.

The residents, who have been protesting for some time around the Emerald Energy facilities, owned by a private Chinese oil company, have made a series of demands, such as paving 42 kilometers of highway, fixing the infrastructure and improving the economic situation in the region.

It was also stated that the threats and pressure from the armed groups on the inhabitants of the region to leave their villages were also important factors in the development of the events. (AA)