An alleged FARC explosive device has destroyed a section of a natural gas pipeline in the northern Caribbean coastal department of La Guajira for the second time in two weeks, Caracol Radio reported Thursday.
Authorities have laid responsibility with the FARC’s 59th Front for the terrorist attack on the pipeline, which runs from the onshore natural gas fields in Ballena, La Guajira, to Barrancabermeja, Santander. The explosion occurred in the southern La Guajira village of La Envidia.
The international gas transportation company (TGI), who manage the pipeline, recorded a drop in pressure at the same time that police authorities were notified of a loud explosion and a gas leak that occurred in the area.
A TGI technical team, operating according to the company’s contingency plan, immediately travelled to the site to diagnose the situation and begin repairing the damaged pipeline. The First Army division also conducted a fly-over of the area and sent in a special unit to check the surrounding areas for mines and ensure the security of the repair team.
This is the supposedly the second time that the FARC have attacked a gas pipeline in the region recently, after they were accused of detonating an explosive device on a Venezuelan-owned pipeline on March 28.
TGI have not yet determined when the pipeline will be fully operational but will inform national media as soon as they know when repairs are completed.
