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Colombia oil workers kidnapped by suspected Farc rebels

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Assailants have kidnapped at least 23 Colombian oil workers in a remote eastern jungle region, officials say.
The employees, subcontracted by Canadian oil firm Talisman, are thought to have been seized by the Farc rebels, who have a strong presence in the area.
The workers, based at an oil camp in Vichada Department, were reported to have been taken deeper into the jungle by canoes.
Colombian troops have been deployed to the area to search for them.
Vichada Governor Juan Carlos Avila said all of those kidnapped were Colombian nationals.
He told Radio Caracol that "three men burst into the camp" and forced the workers to go with them into the jungle.
Mr Avila said the air force had joined the search.
In a statement, Talisman confirmed the kidnap of 22 workers, who it said were employed by a subcontractor, South American Exploration, which was carrying out seismic work.
Most of the people seized came from local indigenous communities, said Talisman.
Foreign investment The area where the kidnapping took place has abundant coca crops - the raw material for cocaine - and rebels control the lucrative trade routes into Venezuela.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says the suspected guerrilla action may have been to obtain a ransom or to deter outside intrusion into their jungle stronghold.
President Juan Manuel Santos is seeking to open up all corners of the country to oil and mining companies and encourage foreign investment.
Mass kidnappings were once common in Colombia but numbers have fallen in recent years.
The Farc is the oldest and largest among Colombia's left-wing rebel groups.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12672375
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