Workers from the Sepecol [6] private security firm blocked the rail line leading from the mammoth Cerrejón [7] coal mine in northeastern Colombia's La Guajira region for seven days over a contract dispute, before the company agreed to enter a dialogue over their demands June 26. The workers, who are mainly from the indigenous Wayuu [8] group, launched their protest after the termination of the contract between Sepecol and Colombia's largest coal mining company. According to a company statement [9], the blockade of the rail line linking the mine to Puerto Bolívar was putting export obligations at risk. In announcing the dialogue, the company agreed to maintain 80% of its 770-strong security force from Sepecol and local firm Vigilancia Guajira [10]. (El Heraldo [11], Barranquilla, June 28; Colombia Reports [12], EFE [13], June 26)
