At least 79 police officers have been taken hostage during protests in Colombia’s southern Caquetá province.
One of the police officers has reportedly died from the violence that erupted after residents barricaded the compound of the oil exploration company Emerald Energy.
A civilian was also killed and nine oilfield workers were captured alongside the police officers.
The Colombian police have paid tribute to the dead police officer identified as Ricardo Monroy, on Twitter.
“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.
Video footage shows the hostages sitting in a crowded room on rows of chairs and the floor.
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he hopes they would be “unilaterally” released before any escalation of violence and asked for medical help from the Red Cross.
Why They Are Protesting
The Colombian protesters are demanding that the oil exploration company helps to repair and build new roads in the area.
They want Emerald Energy to build new road infrastructure around the San Vicente del Caguan area.
Colombia’s human rights ombudsman, Carlos Camargo, says he had spoken with protesters and stopped them from firing Molotov cocktails at the oil facility.
Molotov cocktail, a crude bomb, typically consisting of a bottle filled with a flammable liquid and a wick that is ignited before throwing.
