Four-day blockade at Cerrejon coal mine ends in Colombia

Protesters in Colombia's northern La Guajira province have lifted a four-day blockade of a rail line and the entrance to an export terminal used by coal miner Cerrejon, the company said on Friday.
Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities sit on a railway line used by coal producer Cerrejon before lifting a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023.
Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities sit on a railway line used by coal producer Cerrejon before lifting a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Protesters in Colombia's northern La Guajira province have lifted a four-day blockade of a rail line and the entrance to an export terminal used by coal miner Cerrejon, the company said on Friday.

The blockade, which was affecting operations, was led by residents from three communities in Media Luna, the company had previously said.

Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities walk over a railway line used by coal producer Cerrejon after lifting a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023.
Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities walk over a railway line used by coal producer Cerrejon after lifting a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

"It has been lifted," a Cerrejon spokesperson told Reuters, adding normal operations will now resume.

Blockades of roads, the rail line and other Cerrejon facilities are common and regularly result in losses for the company.

Members of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) leave after Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities lift a blockade of a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023.
Members of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) leave after Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities lift a blockade of a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

Wayuu indigenous communities have had a long-running dispute with Cerrejon, which is owned by Anglo-Swiss commodities giant Glencore, over water use and pollution, dust, noise and health issues.

A train carrying coal rides on a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon after Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities lifted a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023.
A train carrying coal rides on a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon after Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities lifted a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

Cerrejon is under a court order to comply with environmental and health requirements, including by reaching agreements with Wayuu communities.

The company has said it has signed 302 agreements, including 11 with communities in Media Luna.

Wayuu indigenous women prepare food as they and fellow indigenous lifted a blockade of a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023.
Wayuu indigenous women prepare food as they and fellow indigenous lifted a blockade of a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

In 2020 a U.N. Special Rapporteur said the mine should suspend some operations on health and environmental concerns, a call which Cerrejon rejected.

(Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

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