Three recent rebel attacks against Colombia’s oil sector in the northern Norte de Santander department have cost the state-owned Ecopetrol company $1.7 million in damages.
Ecopetrol on Wednesday said that the three guerrilla attacks led to an oil spill of 10,180 barrels of crude oil.
FARC rebels blew up
So far this year, FARC and ELN insurgents have launched 14 separate attacks against Colombia’s oil infrastructure.
MORE: FARC attacks, threats lead to ‘oil paralysis’ in southern Colombia
In August 2012, Ecopetrol reported a 50% decrease in production in the southwestern Putumayo department due to assaults from the FARC and the ELN — Colombia’s second largest guerrilla group.
MORE: Rise in FARC, ELN attacks hits wallet of Colombia’s oil, mining industries
According to the conflict-monitoring NGO Nuevo Arco Iris, members of the FARC’s 800-person strong Middle Magdalena Bloc, which is largely based in Norte de Santander, have concentrated their forces along the border with Venezuela. The insurgents reportedly carry out their assaults in Colombia and then take refuge on the other side of the border.