Guerrillas have stepped up attacks against the oil and mining sectors, key industries for economic growth that have attracted huge foreign investment inflows since a 2002 military offensive pushed rebels into more remote hideouts. FARC rebels dynamited the Cano Limon-Coveñas oil pipeline twice this week, once on Wednesday and again on Friday, in the Norte de Santander province, according to military officials and the state-run oil company Ecopetrol.
The attacks against the 780-km (485-mile) line, which transports 80,000 barrels of oil per day, caused fires and spilt crude into the Catatumbo river, the company said.
The guerrillas were widely seen to have used previous negotiations to re-arm and rebuild their ranks. Right-wing elements linked to Colombia’s political establishment were also accused of undermining talks.
The FARC considers itself the representative of Colombian peasants in their struggles with big landlords and foreign mining and oil companies.
Since coming to power in 2010, Santos’ government has pushed through reforms such as the restitution of land to displaced peasants. The move was seen as paving the way for peace talks with the rebels, which began late last year.
“The Colombian state, the fundamental perpetrator of the conflict, cannot pretend to be judge and jury in the processes that seek to clarify truth and restitute victims,” the rebels said in a statement in Cuba on Saturday.
The guerrilla group asked for a high-level commission made up of FARC members, the national government, guilds and social groups to investigate displacement in Colombia.
It also wanted “the guarantees necessary so that in Colombia, in safe conditions, (the committee) can check and verify the real situation of the properties that are said to have been taken by us.” ( reuters )