Cerrejón: What are the allegations regarding exports to Israel and working conditions that the company is defending?

Cerrejón, one of the largest thermal coal producers in Latin America, issued an official statement strongly rejecting the claims contained in a recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Palestine, which involves its operations in Colombia.

"We categorically reject all the accusations contained in the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, which we consider unfounded and without legal basis," Cerrejón stated, while asserting that all of its operations are "compliant with Colombian law, including the decree issued by President Gustavo Petro's government on exports to Israel."

The company also noted that the commercial transactions it made occurred before the decree prohibiting such operations came into effect.

"This data allows us to gain greater clarity on the timing of the decree's implementation, in a context of high sensitivity and public attention. We reiterate our commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance," the company stated.

In addition to addressing the trade issue, Cerrejón also responded to criticisms of its occupational health and safety conditions, included in the same United Nations report.

"We reaffirm that Cerrejón generates decent, formal, and quality employment and has rigorous systems for preventing, reporting, and treating occupational diseases, in line with current regulations," the company stated.

The mining company emphasized that it actively and openly participates in inspection and monitoring processes led by the competent authorities and warned that the report's findings unfairly affect its workers.

"We regret the value judgments and biased accusations that affect the reputation of thousands of workers who, with commitment and professionalism, carry out their work in an industry that is key to the economic and social development of La Guajira and the country," Cerrejón added.

Along the same lines, Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino had accused Cerrejón of alleged malpractice and of fueling the genocide in Palestine. "The Colombian Ministry of Labor expresses its condemnation of the repeated job insecurity faced by workers at the El Cerrejón coal complex."

"We generate decent, formal, and quality employment, and we have rigorous systems for preventing, reporting, and treating occupational diseases, in line with current regulations."

He also indicated that he openly participates in inspection and surveillance processes by Colombian authorities.

In its statement, the company expressed its dissatisfaction with the allegations that affect the image of its workforce:

"We regret the value judgments and biased accusations that affect the reputation of thousands of workers who, with commitment and professionalism, carry out their work in an industry that is key to the economic and social development of La Guajira and the country."