Colombia’s largest rebel group allegedly bombed a crucial road bridge in Meta state of central Colombia, leaving the affected municipality isolated from the rest of the country, national media reported Wednesday.
The most important bridge of the municipality of Mapiripan collapsed on Tuesday night after an explosive charge was detonated.
According to Colombia’s El Pais newspaper, this is the first attack on infrastructure in Meta department so far this year.
However, it is not the first one across the country: FARC allegedly bombed twice the vital Pan-American highway this month.
MORE: FARC attacks bridge in southwestern Colombia
Authorities claimed that the responsible for this attack is FARC’s 44th Front which is located in the area.
Mapiripan’s mayor, Jorge Ivan Duque said in Colombia’s El Pais newspaper that members of the 44th Front used a boat to sail the Gaviare river and then installed two explosive on the bridge at 10 pm on Tuesday night.
Isolated from the rest of the state
“(…) unfortunately the structure collapsed and the urban perimeter of Mapiripan is currently isolated from the rest of the department through the shortest road,” said Duque.
Duque declared that the authorities of the department are working on an emergency plan while the state governor announced the temporary construction of a metallic bridge, according to El Pais.
The Colombian Army claimed in a press release that the attack was carried out by Roosvelt Rodríguez, an alleged member of the 44th Front of the FARC.
“[We] accuse and strongly rejects these terrorist acts aiming at attacking the infrastructure, affecting the daily commuting of the civilians, acts that could easily impinge the physical integrity of the habitats of south of Meta.”
Massacre of Mapiripan
This is not the first time conflict has reached Mapiripan.
According to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 1997, 77 people were killed in a massacre in the town.
MORE: Former paramilitary leader convicted of plotting Mapiripan massacre
Sources
- Farc dinamitaron puente del caño Ovejas en el Meta (El Pais)
- Farc atenta contra población civil en el sur del Meta (Colombia Army)
