The farmers were protesting against the eradication of illegal crops like coca and poppy. Their demonstrations begun Sunday.The protesters blocked the main highway linking northwestern Colombia with ports in the country’s north, demanding that the government grant them immediate work alternatives or suspend the eradication.”Some armed persons were detected shooting with long-range rifles from the mountains near Taraza municipality, and the 24 people that participated in those riots were arrested,” said Cartagena.Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said that guerrilla leaders have joined the protesters to impede an accord between officials and coca farmers.
