The Caño Limon oil pipeline that borders Venezuela and runs through Colombia’s northern state, Norte de Santander, was attacked for the fourth time this month on Monday.
Colombia’s state-owned oil company Ecopetrol, announced the attack from the previous day late Tuesday evening, and confirmed that the company was already carrying out emergency contingency plans to prevent damage to the environment from a potential oil spill. The priority for Colombia’s largest oil company is to protect an aqueduct that resides very close to the site of the attack.
Military personnel were called to the scene to ensure the safety of repairmen, who have been fixing the damaged pipeline since Monday.
This marks the fourth attack on this pipeline in October, and Colombia’s National Police is still looking for someone to blame.
MORE: Northeast Colombia oil pipeline attacked for 3rd time in week
No organization has claimed responsibility for the pipeline attacks, however Colombia’s second-largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), is suspected as the group has been responsible for a series of similar pipeline attacks in the past that have caused oil spills.
The state has offered a reward amounting up to $10,000 for any information that could lead to an arrest, or the prevention of a future attack.
The continuing damage to this pipeline is expected to cause millions of dollars of economic repercussions.
Norte de Santander
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