Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jun 2001
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Copyright: 2001 Associated Press
Author: Jared Kotler

COLOMBIAN DRUG WAR CLASHES HEAT UP

BOGOTA -- Fierce jungle fighting in Colombia's main coca growing 
region killed 30 soldiers and 26 leftist guerrillas on Friday, the 
army said - the heaviest casualties since a U.S.-backed 
anti-narcotics offensive got underway late last year.

The battle broke out at an army base near the riverside town of 
Puerto Leguizamo, 320 miles south of Bogota in southern Putumayo 
state, a launching point for Colombian marine operations against 
rebels and drug traffickers.

The army said it sent in reinforcements and was pursuing retreating 
guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. 
Only six guerrilla bodies had been recovered, but army Gen. Nestor 
Ramirez put the number of dead ``narco-terrorists'' at 26.

He said the soldiers were out on anti-narcotics operations when they 
came into contact with the FARC rebels.

The heavy troop losses were a new setback for Colombia's U.S.-backed 
military, which has struggled to regain the upper hand against rebels 
growing mightier with profits from ties to the drug trade. The 
bloodshed also contrasted with recent breakthroughs in peace talks to 
end Colombia's 37-year conflict.
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