Colombia protests: Seventy-nine police officers taken hostage

Colombia protests: Seventy-nine police officers taken hostage

A police officer has died and 79 others taken hostage during protests in Colombia's southern Caquetá province.

Violence erupted on Thursday after residents blockaded the compound of the oil exploration company Emerald Energy.
They were demanding its help to repair and build new roads in the area.

A civilian was also killed and nine oilfield workers captured alongside the police officers. Video showed the hostages sitting in a crowded room on rows of chairs and on the floor.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he hoped they would be "unilaterally" released before any escalation of violence, and asked for medical help from the Red Cross.

Many of the protesters are rural and indigenous people who want Emerald Energy to build new road infrastructure around the San Vicente del Caguan area.

The oil company did not respond when approached by Reuters news agency for comment.

READ MORE: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64834573

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