Rebels ambush policemen in northern Colombia

Three policemen were reported killed in northern Colombia  on 1 February in an ambush attributed to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), press and agencies reported. Suspected guerrillas attacked a patrol car in the Maicao district in the department of Guajira, close to the border with Venezuela, Europa Press reported. The attack seemed to closely follow officials' declarations on troops killing six guerrillas including a FARC chief during bombardments. In the east-coast department of Chocó the departmental ombudsman spoke of local concerns over the FARC imposing an "armed strike" - curfews and restrictions on circulation - on several districts. Luis Enrique Abadía told Colombia's national radio on 1 February that pamphlets were found in districts along the highway leading to the department of Risaralda east of Chocó, announcing an "armed strike" from 1 to 20 February. He said this meant restrictions on movements of the local population and on deliveries to the districts of Mistrató, Pueblo Rico, Condoto and Atrato.