Marxist Guerrillas Kill 24 Colombian Soldiers
BOGOTA, Colombia — Marxist guerrillas killed at least 24 Colombian soldiers in an ambush early Friday, and 18 rebels died in what officials call the worst attack against the army in two years.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia attacked soldiers guarding oil facilities in Orito, near the Ecuador border. The rebels died in an ensuing battle, authorities said.
Army and police with helicopter support searched the jungle in the province of Putumayo for the estimated 400 guerrillas who took part in the attack, officials said.
Last week, authorities seized a cache of explosives belonging to the guerrilla group, and Friday’s attack may have been in reprisal.
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