‘FARC’ attack oil pipeline in northern Colombia

Colombia news - oil pipeline blast

An oil pipeline in the department of Norte de Santander was attacked early Tuesday morning with initial reports placing responsibility with the FARC, Caracol Radio reports.

According to local authorities, explosive charges were placed on a 16 mile stretch of the pipeline that is operated by Petronorte, a company contracted by the majority state-owned oil firm, Ecopetrol.

No fatalities have been reported though it is unknown at this time the amount of crude oil that has been spilled and could be causing serious environmental damage.

Efforts are being made to prevent the oil flowing into the local Catatumbo river though these have so far been slowed by anti-personnel mines placed by the group responsible for the attack.

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