The President of Colombia, Ernesto Samper, says a special police force is to be set up in the north-east of the country in an attempt to control a recent escalation in the number of killings and kidnappings.

The special police force, which is being set up immediately, will operate in the Magdalena Medio province. This area is one of the most volatile places in Colombia.

It is also home to the country's main oil installations, and so a key target for paramilitary and left-wing guerrilla groups.

Two weeks ago, 11 people were killed when unidentified soldiers stormed the region's capital city Barrancabermeja. Another 34 were taken hostage and have not been seen since.

A right-wing organisation calling itself the Peasant Self-Defence Group said it carried out the attack.

President faces protest

When President Samper arrived in Barrancabermeja for a one-day visit, families of the missing staged a noisy but peaceful protest. Following the recent wave of violence and kidnappings the entire town went on strike. People only went back to work when the government gave assurances that it would intervene to secure the return of the hostages.

So far the announcement of the creation of the special police force, which will concentrate on investigating killings and kidnappings, is the only visible sign of a government response.

Widespread disruption in the run-up to this weekend's presidential elections has been promised by left-wing guerrilla groups in particular.