1 dead, 6 injured in southern Colombia ‘FARC’ attack

A motorcycle and a bus carrying oil workers drove through an alleged FARC minefield in southern department of Caqueta Wednesday, killing one and injuring six.

Authorities suspect the “Teofilo Forero” mobile column of the guerrilla group FARC was responsible for planting the mines.

The injured were taken to local hospitals in the captial city of Florencia. One victim died from severe injuries.

Five of the victims, employees of oil company Geoenergy, traveled the same route to work every day.

Colombia’s Vice President Angelino Garzon denounced the attack, calling it “true crime against humanity.” He called on the Colombian population, workers, and labor unions to condemn the attacks as violating the dignity of human beings and breaking the norms of international humanitarian law.

Police announced in June that they believe the Teofilo Forero column has oil company uniforms in their possession, which they use try to pass inconspicuously through Caqueta in groups of seven to 10 in order to plan and execute attacks.

Attacks against oil workers are relatively frequent in this southern department. The FARC kidnapped four Chinese oil workers in Caqueta in June and still have them in captivity.

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