This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8425729.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Colombia rebels kidnap governor Colombian governor seized in raid
(about 8 hours later)
Suspected leftist Farc rebels in Colombia have kidnapped the governor of southern Caqueta province, say reports. A Colombian provincial governor has been seized by gunmen dressed in military uniforms, the authorities say.
Local officials said a group of around 20 armed men wearing uniforms seized Luis Fernando Cuellar from his house in the provincial capital, Florencia. Luis Fernando Cuellar, the governor of Caqueta, was seized from his house in the provincial capital, Florencia.
A police guard was also reported to have been killed in the attack, blamed on the Farc. A police officer died in the attack, which officials said was the work of left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrillas.
The area, close to the Colombian Amazon, has been a stronghold of the Farc for many years. Caqueta, close to the Colombian Amazon, has been a stronghold of the Farc for many years.
Edilberto Ramon Endo, secretary of the government of Caqueta province, said Mr Cuellar had been forced out of his home by the gunmen. Edilberto Ramon Endo, secretary of the government of Caqueta province, said Mr Cuellar had been forced out of his home by the gunmen, who lobbed a grenade and exchanged fire with security guards.
He was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying an operation to rescue Mr Cuellar was under way. The attackers were wearing army uniforms but were believed to be Farc rebels, he said.
An operation to rescue the governor is under way.
The Farc is Colombia's oldest and largest left-wing rebel group.The Farc is Colombia's oldest and largest left-wing rebel group.
The rurally-based group was once thought to have some 16,000 fighters, but reports suggest it now has about 9,000. The rurally-based organisation was once thought to have some 16,000 fighters, but reports suggest it now has about 9,000.
The Farc has suffered several defeats at the hands of conservative President Alvaro Uribe's security forces.The Farc has suffered several defeats at the hands of conservative President Alvaro Uribe's security forces.
The incidence of attacks and kidnappings has lessened.
But the rebels are still holding more than 20 police officers and soldiers, often referred to as high-profile hostages, who were seized more than a decade ago.
They are also believed to have kidnapped hundreds of other people, mainly for ransom, over the years.