Colombia's most important banana producing area, which is located in the region of Uraba, on the border with Panama, was blocked by a stoppage of transporters protesting the relocation of toll collection posts.
The area has been paralyzed since January 3, affecting more than 500 thousand inhabitants and fruit exports to the United States and Europe.
According to reports from social leaders in the Uraba area, there have been clashes between protesters and the Public Force in recent hours. A Colombian police officer and his escorts were assaulted by the demonstrators, and three vehicles and three Gasoline Distribution Service Stations were burned.
In the town of Carepa, two civilians were wounded with a firearm, one of which received a head wound. In other places in the area, protesters continue burning the vehicles and motorcycles that dare circulate on the roads.
The two most important populations in the banana zone, Apartado and the seaport of Turbo, have also been affected by the protest against the tolls that cost three to eight dollars, for passenger or cargo vehicles.
Source: Notimex