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Colombia protests: Seventy-nine police officers taken hostage Colombia protests: Seventy-nine police officers freed after being taken hostage
(about 9 hours later)
Watch: Police held hostage in Colombia protestWatch: Police held hostage in Colombia protest
Watch: Police held hostage in Colombia protestWatch: Police held hostage in Colombia protest
A police officer has died and 79 others taken hostage during protests in Colombia's southern Caquetá province. A group of police officers and oilfield workers taken hostage during protests in Colombia's southern Caquetá province have been freed, President Petro says.
Violence erupted on Thursday after residents blockaded the compound of the oil exploration company Emerald Energy. Violence erupted on Thursday after residents blockaded an oil exploration company's compound. They were demanding its help to build roads in the area.
They were demanding its help to repair and build new roads in the area. Columbian leader Gustavo Petro had called for the 79 officers and nine Emerald Energy employees to be let go.
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. A police officer and a civilian have already been killed during the unrest.
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. Announcing the release of the hostages, who were filmed sitting in a crowded room on the floor, Mr Petro called on investigators to find those responsible for the two deaths.
Interior Minster Alfonso Prada said earlier on Friday that they were killed by gunfire.
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.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.The oil company did not respond when approached by Reuters news agency for comment.
Colombian police paid tribute on Twitter to the police officer killed in the clash, who they named as Ricardo Monroy.Colombian police paid tribute on Twitter to the police officer killed in the clash, who they named as Ricardo Monroy.
"Today we are more united than ever," they wrote, adding that Mr Monroy had "offered his life in the line of duty"."Today we are more united than ever," they wrote, adding that Mr Monroy had "offered his life in the line of duty".
Local government officials said the officer died from a machete attack, while the civilian was killed by gunfire.
Colombia's human rights ombudsman Carlos Camargo - who was on site to mediate - said he had spoken to protesters and stopped them from throwing petrol bombs at the oil facility.Colombia's human rights ombudsman Carlos Camargo - who was on site to mediate - said he had spoken to protesters and stopped them from throwing petrol bombs at the oil facility.
Protests in areas near energy and mining operations in Colombia are common as communities demand companies build infrastructure, including roads and schools.Protests in areas near energy and mining operations in Colombia are common as communities demand companies build infrastructure, including roads and schools.
Police said a dissident subgroup of Farc rebels which rejected the 2016 peace deal were present in the region and may have been provoking the unrest.Police said a dissident subgroup of Farc rebels which rejected the 2016 peace deal were present in the region and may have been provoking the unrest.
Separately, Mr Petro on Thursday unexpectedly published a statement on Twitter asking the country's prosecutor general to conduct a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption involving his own son and brother.Separately, Mr Petro on Thursday unexpectedly published a statement on Twitter asking the country's prosecutor general to conduct a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption involving his own son and brother.
The statement did not specify the accusations against his eldest son, Nicolas Petro Burgos, and brother, Juan Fernando Petro Urrego, but it did say: "my government will not give out benefits to criminals in exchange for bribes".The statement did not specify the accusations against his eldest son, Nicolas Petro Burgos, and brother, Juan Fernando Petro Urrego, but it did say: "my government will not give out benefits to criminals in exchange for bribes".
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