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Body of Colombian governor found Body of Colombian governor found
(10 minutes later)
Colombian authorities say the kidnapped governor of southern Caqueta province has been found dead.Colombian authorities say the kidnapped governor of southern Caqueta province has been found dead.
Luis Francisco Cuellar had been seized from his house in the provincial capital, Florencia, by suspected leftist rebels on Monday.Luis Francisco Cuellar had been seized from his house in the provincial capital, Florencia, by suspected leftist rebels on Monday.
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.
Mr Cuellar was the most high profile politician abducted since President Alvaro Uribe came to power in 2002.Mr Cuellar was the most high profile politician abducted since President Alvaro Uribe came to power in 2002.
His body was found hours after Mr Uribe said every effort would be made to secure his release. His body was found hours after Mr Uribe said every effort would be made to secure his release - more than 2,000 military personnel had been deployed in the search.
The authorities had offered 1m pesos ($485: £300) to anyone giving information leading to Mr Cuellar's safe return.
The operation is continuing, but the focus is now on catching or killing the abductors, says the BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin.
"Unfortunately we have to accept this painful reality," said acting governor Patricia Vega."Unfortunately we have to accept this painful reality," said acting governor Patricia Vega.
"I no longer have any doubts that Farc has done it again," she told Caracol radio."I no longer have any doubts that Farc has done it again," she told Caracol radio.
Mr Cuellar had been bound and gagged with several bullet wounds. Explosives had been placed around his body. Mr Cuellar was found bound and gagged with several bullet wounds in his body. Explosives had been placed around him.
Officials said Mr Cuellar appeared to have been killed soon after he was taken from his home by gunmen carrying grenades. He had been taken from his home on Wednesday by about 10 gunmen, who lobbed grenades at the building. Officials say he appears to have been killed soon after.
One policeman was killed in the attack and two more wounded.One policeman was killed in the attack and two more wounded.
'Weakening'
Earlier, Mr Uribe said Colombia "cannot be held captive by the whim of terrorists, terrorists who bathe the country in blood and who trick us everyday".Earlier, Mr Uribe said Colombia "cannot be held captive by the whim of terrorists, terrorists who bathe the country in blood and who trick us everyday".
Profiles: Colombia's armed groups Q&A: Colombia's civil conflict
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.
Speaking before the body was found, his wife told AP a ransom had been paid to secure his release on previous occasions.Speaking before the body was found, his wife told AP a ransom had been paid to secure his release on previous occasions.
'Weakening'
Caqueta has been a stronghold of the Farc - Colombia's oldest and largest left-wing rebel group - for many years.Caqueta has been a stronghold of the Farc - Colombia's oldest and largest left-wing rebel group - for many years.
The Farc has not claimed responsibility for the kidnapping but is widely thought to have been behind it. It was where French-Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt was kidnapped in 2002.
The Farc has not claimed responsibility for the attack on Mr Cuellar, but is widely thought to have been behind it.
The rurally-based organisation, which finances itself through drugs trafficking, was once thought to have some 16,000 fighters, but reports suggest it now has about 9,000.The rurally-based organisation, which finances itself through drugs trafficking, 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.
Incidences of attacks and kidnappings have 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.Incidences of attacks and kidnappings have 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.
It is also believed to have kidnapped hundreds of other people, mainly for ransom, over the years.It is also believed to have kidnapped hundreds of other people, mainly for ransom, over the years.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin said the movement has rallied under new leadership in recent years and appears to be seeking to regain the initiative in the country's 45-year civil conflict. Our correspondent says the movement has rallied under new leadership in recent years and appears to be seeking to regain the initiative in the country's 45-year civil conflict.
On Tuesday, 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.On Tuesday, 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.
Mr Silva said the Colombian government was "firm in its resolve to confront" the rebels.Mr Silva said the Colombian government was "firm in its resolve to confront" the rebels.