In the wake of a guerrilla attack on a pipeline workers camp in northern Colombia, the Minister of Defense has stated that, “with acts like that at Caño Limon Covenas, the ELN will not pressure the government.”
On a visit to the northern state of Arauca, the Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon offered a reward of $250,000 to anybody who could give information leading to the capture of guerrillas from Colombia’s second largest rebel organisation, the ELN, who are believed to have attacked an oil workers pipeline on Sunday, reported W Radio.
| “This is an act of utter cowardice. The attack left 15 wounded civilians, violating all aspects of human rights.” |
15 people were wounded following the attack which the army attributed to the ELN.
MORE: 13 wounded in guerrilla attack on pipeline worker’s camp in northeast Colombia
“This is an act of utter cowardice. The attack left 15 wounded civilians, violating all aspects of human rights … this act of terrorism has no justification and with these acts the ELN will not pressure the government of President Juan Manuel Santos … It’s time to throw the militants out of Arauca’s houses,” said Pinzon.
Llegó la hora de sacar al #ELN de las casas de #Arauca, es la hora que los ciudadanos denuncien: @mindefensa
— Mindefensa Colombia (@mindefensa) June 30, 2014
Pinzon reminded that the Government offers rewards for all leaders of the ELN and FARC operating in the department of Arauca, and announced that a special unit of judicial inquiry would be sent from Bogota to be in charge of this case and other cases of terrorism that are occurring in the border region.
Pinzon reiterated that “the order for the Armed Forces and the Police is a total offensive against guerrilla and terrorist groups that commit crimes in Arauca.”
The Minister called on the community to make complaints against the militants.
After making a thorough study of all the oil field, they will strengthen and improve all security protocols to ensure the welfare of the employees of the company.
The ELN has been blamed for committing three other attacks along the same pipeline all within the past two weeks.
MORE: 2nd guerrilla attack this week on oil pipeline in northeast Colombia
