A mining railroad has been attacked by guerrilla members in northern Colombia, reported local media.
FARC members allegedly attacked a section of the Cerrejon railway line early Wednesday morning at the kilometer 17 marker, which connects the Cerrejon mine, located in the center of the northern La Guajira department, with the department’s main export center, situated in the north of the department.
The Cerrejon coal mine is Colombia’s largest coal exporter, producing 32 million tons of coal annually, 90% of which is exported. The line has suffered numerous attacks since it began operations in 2002, showing that energy and mining companies remain vulnerable to guerrilla attacks.
“The grand objective of FARC terrorist groups is to look for ways to cause harm to this center of economic activity,” said Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon in an interview with W Radio.
This was the second attack on the line this year and though no people were hurt, approximately 40 feet of the railway line was damaged.