23 oil workers kidnapped in Colombia

BOGOTA: At least 23 Colombian employees of a subcontractor for Canada's Talisman Energy were kidnapped on Monday in eastern Colombia, according to a spokesperson for the oil firm.

Tomas Rueda told RCN radio that most of the oil workers were local hires.

"Twenty-three people working for one of our subcontractors have been kidnapped," he said.

Several Colombian media outlets had earlier reported the kidnappings took place in Vichada department.

Officials at the Defense Ministry could not immediately confirm the kidnappings had taken place.