President Declares State of Emergency
COLOMBIA
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Colombian President Alvaro Uribe declared a state of emergency early today to fight what the government described as a “regime of terror” after a surge of violence.
Uribe also decreed an emergency tax to raise $778.5 million to fund a military buildup. Interior and Justice Minister Fernando Londono announced the state of emergency at a news conference in the capital, Bogota, but did not say what it would entail.
Colombia is gripped by a 38-year-old war that pits leftist rebels against outlawed paramilitary fighters and the military. About 100 people have been killed since Uribe took office Wednesday.
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