Paramilitary attacks Leave 154 Dead in Colombia So far in 2001Colombian Paramilitary attacks have left 154 people dead and thousands of peasants displaced so far this year, a senior military officer said Thursday, January 18.Admiral Mauricio Soto, the National Army commander, said the most critical situation is being seen in the northern region, involving 200 townships, including Sucre, Bolivar, Magdalena and Cesar departments. "Threats proceed from illegal armed groups -- paramilitaries and guerrillas ... We're fighting against them", he said. During a paramilitary attack on Wednesday aimed apparently at stopping the peasants helping guerrillas, 25 people were killed and two kidnapped in the path between Sucre and Chengue, he said. About 1,000 peasants fled their homes after the attacks, he said. Marine infantry troops were engaged in fighting with paramilitaries, which was continuing on Thursday, according to the army commander. The paramilitaries killed 577 people in 2000, according to National Police statistics. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |