One killed and thirty trucks looted at a mining protest in Colombia

Colombian Police Chief Major General Henry Armando Sanabria told reporters that it was a boy whose motorcycle collided with a tree on the highway. he died because it was not possible to transport him to the hospital..

The senior official explained that in Troncal del Atlántico, between the municipalities of Tarazá and Cáceres, there are 10 places of congestion, so trucks and other vehicles cannot circulate normally. “Elements have been placed on the roads that endanger the food safety and the safety of the people of the region. In addition, a child lost his life due to the blockades, timely medical intervention could not be provided.”

The demonstration began at noon on Wednesday and is led by miners from Cáceres who are protesting the authorities’ operations against illegal mining in that area. Anderson Quiceno, director of the Freight Carriers Association (ATC), told reporters. 30 trucks were looted and 4 injured. “Four drivers were injured defending their vehicles and property. The crowd attacked them. We have lost roughly 120,000 million pesos (about $27 million today) in that area since the strike,” he said. Likewise, he assured that of the 350,000 tons transported, 2,000 were lost in perishable goods and 1,000 in looting.

In other news, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez said this Friday that the guideline is to engage in dialogue with affected communities. He recalled that Interior Ministers Alfonso Prada and Minas Minister Irene Vélez met with the mayors of Tarazá and Cáceres to resolve the situation. “The first thing is dialogue, but only if these blockades continue through force will it be necessary to continue,” said Velásquez.