News (Media Awareness Project) - Colombia: Violence In Colombia Leaves At Least 28 Dead |
| Title: | Colombia: Violence In Colombia Leaves At Least 28 Dead |
| Published On: | 2000-11-19 |
| Source: | Los Angeles Times (CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 02:07:27 |
VIOLENCE IN COLOMBIA LEAVES AT LEAST 28 DEAD
Conflict: Bloodshed, Which Comes Four Days After Rebels Freeze Peace
Talks, Ranges From A Bombing To Slayings Of Townspeople.
BOGOTA, Colombia--Insurgents killed unarmed townspeople and clashed
with Colombian soldiers Saturday in widespread violence that
reportedly left at least 28 people dead.
Also, a bomb packed onto a motorcycle exploded Saturday in a town in
the heart of Colombia's coca-producing region, killing one person and
wounding 18, including six police officers.
The bloodshed came four days after the nation's largest rebel group,
the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, froze peace
talks with the government aimed at ending a 36-year conflict.
The bomb exploded in downtown Puerto Asis in the southern region of
Putumayo, which has been blockaded by rebels for two months. There
was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The FARC has clamped a road blockade on Putumayo to protest the
government's U.S.-backed plan to use troops to seize and eradicate
the coca crops, used to make cocaine.
The rebels and a rival right-wing paramilitary group "tax" the coca
producers and protect the harvests, earning millions of dollars.
On Saturday morning in the northwestern province of Antioquia, 50
FARC fighters searching for an escaped kidnap victim killed four
people in the town of Florida after they refused to reveal the
location of the fleeing hostage, said army Maj. Sergio Perez. The
fate of the escapee was not clear.
The army also alleges that FARC combatants were responsible for
killing between 10 and 15 people inside a farmhouse Saturday morning
in the town of Frontino.
About 50 paramilitary fighters killed five people in the northern
province of Cesar after accusing them of siding with rebels, national
radio reported. Authorities could not immediately confirm the attack.
Meanwhile, six rebels and two soldiers have been killed in the
western province of Risaralda. In the southwestern province of
Narino, fighting that ended Saturday left an officer dead and three
soldiers hurt.
Conflict: Bloodshed, Which Comes Four Days After Rebels Freeze Peace
Talks, Ranges From A Bombing To Slayings Of Townspeople.
BOGOTA, Colombia--Insurgents killed unarmed townspeople and clashed
with Colombian soldiers Saturday in widespread violence that
reportedly left at least 28 people dead.
Also, a bomb packed onto a motorcycle exploded Saturday in a town in
the heart of Colombia's coca-producing region, killing one person and
wounding 18, including six police officers.
The bloodshed came four days after the nation's largest rebel group,
the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, froze peace
talks with the government aimed at ending a 36-year conflict.
The bomb exploded in downtown Puerto Asis in the southern region of
Putumayo, which has been blockaded by rebels for two months. There
was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The FARC has clamped a road blockade on Putumayo to protest the
government's U.S.-backed plan to use troops to seize and eradicate
the coca crops, used to make cocaine.
The rebels and a rival right-wing paramilitary group "tax" the coca
producers and protect the harvests, earning millions of dollars.
On Saturday morning in the northwestern province of Antioquia, 50
FARC fighters searching for an escaped kidnap victim killed four
people in the town of Florida after they refused to reveal the
location of the fleeing hostage, said army Maj. Sergio Perez. The
fate of the escapee was not clear.
The army also alleges that FARC combatants were responsible for
killing between 10 and 15 people inside a farmhouse Saturday morning
in the town of Frontino.
About 50 paramilitary fighters killed five people in the northern
province of Cesar after accusing them of siding with rebels, national
radio reported. Authorities could not immediately confirm the attack.
Meanwhile, six rebels and two soldiers have been killed in the
western province of Risaralda. In the southwestern province of
Narino, fighting that ended Saturday left an officer dead and three
soldiers hurt.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
