04 Jan 2018 | 11:18 AM UTC
Colombia: Strike in Urabá ends following violence /update 1
General strike launched in the Urabá region (Antioquia department) January 3 called off following deadly violence
Event
A general strike launched at 00:01 (local time) on Wednesday, January 3, in the Urabá region of Antioquia department was called off later that day following an outbreak of deadly violence. One person died and a second was injured during clashes between police and protesters.
The strike had been organized to protest a rise in highway toll prices. Further strikes and/or protests could be called for in the coming days and weeks.
Context
The Urabá region is located in the northwest of the country near the border with Panama. It is made up of the municipalities of Apartadó, Arboletes, Carepa, Chigorodó, Murindó, Mutatá, Turbo, Necoclí, San Juan de Urabá, San Pedro de Urabá, and Vigía del Fuerte.
Advice
Individuals in the region are advised to avoid all protests as a rule and to keep abreast of the situation.
On a separate note, due to the presence of a number of armed groups - including organized crime groups, drug cartels, right-wing militias, local gangs, and the ELN guerrilla group - some Western governments advise against travel to various parts of the country, including the Urabá region.
