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| International |
| Colombian Officials Thwart Terror Attacks |
| 2002-12-11 |
| Colombian officials say they have thwarted an assassination attempt against President Alvaro Uribe, while authorities in the capital, Bogota, deactivated at least five powerful car bombs. Authorities say President Uribe was moved to a secure location Wednesday, after officials learned of the plot. The assassination attempt was reportedly planned for Thursday, during a presidential event in Medellin. This comes as authorities in Bogota say they disabled at least five sophisticated car bombs. Police say at least six people, including an electrical engineer, have been arrested. Authorities say they believe government buildings and public areas were targets. Defense Minister Marta Lucia Ramirez is quoted as saying the explosives could have done "unimaginable damage." Officials say leftist rebels with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia are to blame. The developments come two days after a powerful car bomb ripped through a supermarket parking lot in western Bogota, injuring at least 60 people. Authorities say the leftist rebels were responsible. Colombia is in the midst of a long-running civil war involving the government, leftist rebels and right-wing paramilitaries. Throw in the drug cartels who have all of the above on retainer. |
| Posted by:Steve |