Tourists kidnapped in Colombia

2005-11-29 13:51

Bogota - Sixteen travellers in Colombia's southern Guaviare department have been kidnapped by suspected leftist rebels, say reports.

Radio Caracol said suspected Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels set up roadblocks on a country road, near Guacamayas, and kidnapped several motorists after setting their vehicles on fire.

Guacamayas fire department chief Esnoraldo Granada said: "Some 16 people have been kidnapped, many of them drivers of vehicles travelling down that road."

He said the rebels also set two government-owned vehicles on fire.

Beside FARC rebels, National Liberation Army guerrillas, right-wing paramilitary forces and drug traffickers plagued the Guaviare department.

- AFP