Bogota (Colombia), Aug 18: Suspected rebels fired from the mountains at Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's helicopter as he arrived at a village in northwest Colombia, the president's spokesman said. No one was injured in yesterday's attack at Granada village in Antioquia state, said Ricardo Galan, Uribe's spokesman. None of the shots reached Uribe's helicopter, which immediately flew out of Granada to a military base in the nearby town of Rionegro.
A security plane flying nearby fired back into the mountains. It was not clear whether any of the attackers were killed, Galan said.
After authorities regained control in Granada, Uribe returned for his planned event, handing over new homes and businesses to victims of a rebel attack in December of 2000 that devastated the village and killed 29 residents.
Speaking to Granada residents, Uribe said continuing violence by the rebels makes negotiations with them impossible.
"As long as the guerrillas maintain their arrogance, which stems from rifles, car bombs, and money from coca, dialogue with them is not possible," Uribe said. "They must feel that the state is going to defeat them."
Coca is the base ingredient of cocaine.
A nurse's aide at the Granada hospital said she heard gunshots and an explosion as the president's entourage, which included environmental minister Cecilia Rodriguez, arrived. Once Uribe returned, though, she said things were calm. Bureau Report