Marxist rebels killed at least 20 Colombian soldiers in a jungle ambush today in the most deadly attack on the armed forces in years.
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas jumped a 41-man platoon in the northern jungle province of Uraba near the border with Panama, killing at least 20 troops, an army spokesman said. He did not indicate how many were injured.
The attack, the third major assault by the rebels this month, was a bloody rebuttal of army claims the guerrillas have been pushed into retreat and a blow to President Alvaro Uribe, whose 70-per cent approval rating is largely due to improved security.
After months of confining themselves to small attacks, FARC began a new offensive last week when they killed at least 23 soldier in ambushes on two isolated military outposts.