Killing of militia leader complicates Colombian peace talks
The slaying of a top Colombian militia chief has thrown up another hurdle along the already rocky course of peace talks between the government and the notorious anti-communist forces involved in massacres and drug-running. Preliminary investigations indicate that Miguel Arroyave may have fallen victim to an internecine power struggle. He headed the 6,000-fighter-strong Centauros Bloc of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC, the militia umbrella group negotiating with the administration of President Alvaro Uribe. Arroyave’s group operates in Colombia’s Eastern Plains, a vast expanse of cattle ranches and oil fields. He and four of his bodyguards were found dead inside two grenade-blasted vehicles outside the southeastern town of Puerto Lleras in Meta, a highly conflictive province. Full Story