Colombia's Long Civil War Spreads Turmoil to Venezuela***Venezuela, however, has been the most affected. According to Colombian intelligence reports and Venezuelan landowners, Colombian guerrillas kidnap ranchers, extort money from businessmen and traffic in drugs. Colombian intelligence reports also say that the rebels have set up temporary camps in at least three Venezuelan states, eluding Colombian forces and their de facto paramilitary allies. "It is an area that allows them to rest, to reorganize and regain momentum to again come back into this country," a high-ranking Colombian military officer said in a telephone interview.***
To Avoid Debate Venezuela Lawmakers Loyal to Chavez Swiftly Pass Laws in Session in Park *** CARACAS, Venezuela - Meeting in a downtown park to avoid their rivals, lawmakers loyal to President Hugo Chavez adopted parliamentary procedures that allow them to swiftly pass several new laws, including one that would tighten restrictions on the media. The lawmakers, gathering in tents in a poor neighborhood of hard-core Chavez supporters, adopted new debate rules intended to make it more difficult to block legislation supported by the president. Opposition members of Congress said they did not recognize the legitimacy of the vote. ***