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Colombia bid to rescue governor Colombia bid to rescue governor
(about 2 hours later)
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe says a full military and police operation is under way to rescue the kidnapped governor of Caqueta province.Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe says a full military and police operation is under way to rescue the kidnapped governor of Caqueta province.
Luis Fernando Cuellar was seized from his house in the provincial capital, Florencia, by suspected leftist rebels. A police officer died in the attack. Luis Francisco Cuellar was seized from his house in the provincial capital, Florencia, by suspected leftist rebels. A police officer died in the attack.
Mr Uribe said Colombia "cannot be held captive by the whim of terrorists".Mr Uribe said Colombia "cannot be held captive by the whim of terrorists".
Officials said was the kidnap was the work of left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrillas.Officials said was the kidnap was the work of left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrillas.
Caqueta, 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.
Mr Uribe said every military and police effort would be made to ensure Mr Cuellar was rescued following Monday's attack.Mr Uribe said every military and police effort would be made to ensure Mr Cuellar was rescued following Monday's attack.
"We cannot be held captive by the whim of terrorists, terrorists who bathe the country in blood and who trick us everyday," he told reporters."We cannot be held captive by the whim of terrorists, terrorists who bathe the country in blood and who trick us everyday," he told reporters.
Edilberto Ramon Endo, secretary of the government of Caqueta province, said Mr Cuellar had been forced out of his home by gunmen who lobbed a grenade and exchanged fire with security guards, killing one of them.Edilberto Ramon Endo, secretary of the government of Caqueta province, said Mr Cuellar had been forced out of his home by gunmen who lobbed a grenade and exchanged fire with security guards, killing one of them.
The attackers were wearing army uniforms but were believed to be Farc rebels, he said.The attackers were wearing army uniforms but were believed to be Farc rebels, he said.
On Tuesday, police found a burned-out vehicle on a road outside Florencia, which they believe was used to take Mr Cuellar into the jungle.On Tuesday, police found a burned-out vehicle on a road outside Florencia, which they believe was used to take Mr Cuellar into the jungle.
Speaking to local media, Mr Cuellar's wife, Imelda, described feeling a blast at the house and hearing gunfire, before her husband was dragged down stairs "like he was an animal".Speaking to local media, Mr Cuellar's wife, Imelda, described feeling a blast at the house and hearing gunfire, before her husband was dragged down stairs "like he was an animal".
The Associated Press news agency said Mr Cuellar had been kidnapped four times in the past 23 years, for between two and seven months each time.The Associated Press news agency said Mr Cuellar had been kidnapped four times in the past 23 years, for between two and seven months each time.
Mrs Cuellar told AP a ransom had been paid to secure his release on previous occasions.Mrs Cuellar told AP a ransom had been paid to secure his release on previous occasions.
High profileHigh profile
Colombian Defence Minister Gabriel Silva said the attack showed that "narco-terrorists" were making an effort to "show their capacity", but that their strength was weakening.Colombian Defence Minister Gabriel Silva said the attack showed that "narco-terrorists" were making an effort to "show their capacity", but that their strength was weakening.
Police believe the burned vehicle was used to take Mr Cuellar into the junglePolice believe the burned vehicle was used to take Mr Cuellar into the jungle
"There will also be an effort to undermine democracy. But the Colombian government is firm in its resolve to confront them," he said."There will also be an effort to undermine democracy. But the Colombian government is firm in its resolve to confront them," he said.
The Farc, Colombia's oldest and largest left-wing rebel group, has not claimed the kidnapping but is widely thought to have been behind it.The Farc, Colombia's oldest and largest left-wing rebel group, has not claimed the kidnapping but is widely thought to have been behind it.
The organisation was once thought to have some 16,000 fighters, but reports suggest it now has about 9,000.The 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 Mr Uribe's security forces.The Farc has suffered several defeats at the hands of conservative Mr Uribe's security forces.
The incidence of attacks and kidnappings has lessened. Mr Cuellar is the first high-profile politician to be kidnapped since Mr Uribe first came to power in 2002The incidence of attacks and kidnappings has lessened. Mr Cuellar is the first high-profile politician to be kidnapped since Mr Uribe first came to power in 2002
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.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.They are also believed to have kidnapped hundreds of other people, mainly for ransom, over the years.