Colombia's Marxist rebels continue to pile the pressure on the armed forces. In a change of tactics, the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) have paralysed the southern province of Putumayo. They have cut off electricity to parts of the province and blockaded roads, forcing the government to airlift in basic supplies and food. Earlier this year the army insisted it had the guerrillas on the run and that the civil conflict was about to end. Such boasting has not been heard since February, when the guerrillas launched a counter-offensive that found the armed forces scrambling to respond.
Just as soon as the army has contained one rebel action, another appears in a different part of the country. But for over a week the guerrillas have been tightening their grip on the southern province of Putumayo. The civil population is terrified and the transport companies refuse to operate as the guerrillas have promised to burn any buses or trucks that move. Nobody believes the government assurances of protection. The Farc tactics may be changing but the aim remains the same - to discredit the US-backed government of President Alvaro Uribe, to ensure he is not re-elected next year. The guerrillas want a president not quite so cosy with the White House and more amenable to negotiate on rebel terms. |
