A young man died, four drivers were injured, and thirty trucks were looted as a large miners’ protest temporarily halted traffic on a main highway in Colombia’s Bajo Cauca region of Antioquia, according to local police reports issued on Friday.
Colombian Police Chief Major General Henry Armando Sanabria detailed to reporters that the fatality involved a boy riding a motorcycle who collided with a tree on the highway. The injury and death occurred because there was no feasible way to transport him to a hospital in time for critical medical care. The official emphasized the wrenching consequences of the disruption, noting that the road barriers have created serious risk for trapped travelers and hindered access to essential services.
He described how Troncal del Atlántico, located between Tarazá and Cáceres, now features at least ten choke points where heavy traffic cannot move normally. He added that roadblocks have been placed in locations that threaten regional food safety and the welfare of local residents. The loss of a child due to the blockades was attributed to the disruption of timely medical attention, underscoring the human cost of the protests and the ensuing mobility restrictions.
The demonstration began around midday on Wednesday, driven by miners from Cáceres who are contesting authorities’ actions against illegal mining in the area. Anderson Quiceno, who heads the Freight Carriers Association, spoke to reporters to explain the broader impact. He confirmed that thirty trucks were looted and four drivers sustained injuries while defending their vehicles and property. Quiceno described escalating violence from crowds and estimated that the region has suffered losses totaling roughly 120,000 million pesos, a figure that translates to about 27 million US dollars by today’s rates. He also reported that among the 350,000 tons of goods transported through the area, around 2,000 tons were perishable and 1,000 tons were lost to looting, painting a stark picture of the economic damage caused by the disruptions.
In a separate briefing, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez stated that the government intends to pursue dialogue with affected communities. He recalled that Interior Minister Alfonso Prada and Mines Minister Irene Vélez met with the mayors of Tarazá and Cáceres to seek a peaceful resolution and to discuss the next steps. Velásquez stressed that the first priority is to engage in dialogue, but warned that if blockades persist, authorities may have to resort to necessary measures to restore order and ensure safety for residents and travelers alike.