The vice-president of the Colombia Football Federation has been kidnapped, apparently by leftist guerrillas, officials said today, raising fresh doubts about next month's Copa America.
Hernan Mejia Campuzano, 66, was snatched by gunmen while travelling from his home yesterday to Pereira, where some of the matches for next month's tournament will take place, police said.
A military official said the kidnapping was apparently carried out by the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC,) the oldest and most powerful insurgency in Latin America.
"It is being confirmed that the kidnappers belong to the FARC," said General Eduardo Franco, who commands the Colombian army's 8th brigade that is responsible for the Risaralda province where Mejia Campuzano was seized.
He said he expected the insurgents would demand a ransom to free the football official, who owns cattle ranches in the region.
The kidnapping is another blow to preparations for the Copa America, which is due to take place in Colombia from July 11-29.
A series of bombings and outbreaks of violence have left dozens dead and hundreds injured in Colombia since May, prompting calls for the tournament to be relocated.
Earlier this month the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) gave Colombia a vote of confidence following a crisis meeting in Paraguay.
Colombian police earlier this month unveiled beefed-up security arrangements for the competition, with thousands of officers being drafted in.
Officers are to be put on duty 24 hours a day in stadiums, training venues, team hotels, shopping centres and airports.
"This is a most regrettable act, not only for sports in Colombia but in the whole of Latin America," said Risaralda governor Elsa Cifuentes.
The nations due to take part are Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Mexico and special guests Canada. -AFP