Colombian troops capture rebels

Three children died this week in rebel attacks

Colombian armed forces have captured 11 rebels from the country's second biggest guerrilla force, the National Liberation Army (ELN), a military spokesman said.

The men were caught in the city of Cartagena as the army continued its offensive against the ELN following the breakdown of peace talks earlier this week.

President Andres Pastrana broke government contacts with the guerrillas on Tuesday, accusing them of intransigence.

President Pastrana: Toughened stance with ELN

The rebels responded with bomb attacks, one of which killed three children.

The funerals of the victims took place in the north-eastern town of San Francisco, where more than 40 people were also injured in an explosion.

The BBC's correspondent in Colombia, Jeremy McDermott, says if the town's inhabitants are looking for retribution, it seems President Andres Pastrana is the man to deliver it.

Offensive

Long criticised for being too soft on the guerrillas, Mr Pastrana has unleashed a military and political offensive against them.

Some 2,000 men from the elite Rapid Deployment Force have been sent to Bolivar province - an ELN stronghold.

The government has also revoked the rebels' political status has been revoked, and arrest warrants for guerrillas leaders have been renewed.

This week's violence was sparked by the Colombian Government's suspension of peace talks in Venezuela with the ELN guerrillas.

The fighting has killed more than 40,000 people in the last decade

President Pastrana accused the rebels of refusing to move during talks aimed at opening formal peace negotiations.

Our correspondent says the offensive against the ELN may be a way to give the army free rein, while preserving the peace process with the biggest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Although the army has long argued the ELN can be defeated militarily, the latest rebels attacks show the ELN is unlikely to bow down without a fight.