Assassination plot foiled

2003-04-10 22:33

Quito - Police have thwarted a plot by Colombians from the city of Cali to assassinate Ecuadoran President Lucio Gutierrez, authorities said on Thursday.

General Edgar Vaca told Ecuador's Congress that the assassins had received 100 million Colombian pesos ($37 000) to buy armament and were to be paid $1.5m for the job.

Vaca said the plot was uncovered with the aid of Colombian police.

Gutierrez, a leftist retired army officer and former coup leader, came to power in January after convincingly winning election in November.

- AFX