According to new reports, police officers and employees of Emerald Energy, an oil firm, who were taken hostage during a protest against the company in Colombia, have been released.

As outlined by Reuters, a violent protest broke out in the Caqueta province on Thursday, where a police officer and civilian were killed. Seventy-nine police officers and nine Emerald employees were taken hostage by the protesters, who also blocked access to an oil field and set a fire.

The news outlet says the protesters demanded that the company fix roads in the region.

Colombia Interior Minister Alfonso Prada said that the two deaths were caused by gunfire and highlighted that while rural farmers led the protests, armed groups also operate nearby.

President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro confirmed on 3 March that the hostages had been released and urged investigators to identify those responsible for the deaths.