More Colombian MPs kidnapped

The men were abducted near Tolu

Three congress members have been kidnapped in Colombia, bringing to six the number of parliamentarians abducted during the past week.

The latest kidnappings have taken place just days before regional and local elections in the country.

These incidents are very worrying and affect the electoral process

Local official Oscar Herrera

Antonio Guerra, Luis Felipe Villegas and Anibal Monterosa, all from the opposition Liberal Party, were kidnapped near the town of Tolu, in the north-eastern Sucre region of the country.

The police say that right-wing paramilitary groups may be responsible for the abduction.

The car in which the congress members were travelling was found abandoned by the side of a road, police said.

Snatched

It is believed that the congress members were travelling without bodyguards and were snatched from their vehicles.

"We are very surprised this happened because we had not received any threats," Jose Guerra, brother of Antonio Guerra.

There has been an angry reaction in Colombia to this latest kidnapping, which has drawn condemnation from the government.

"These incidents are very worrying and affect the electoral process," said local official Oscar Herrera, demanding the release of the hostages.

One Colombian senator said that kidnapping a congress member is tantamount to kidnapping the Colombian state.

Protest planned

A number of congress members say they are now considering a suspension of parliamentary activities next week in protest at this recent series of abductions.

Ministers say that this weekend's regional elections will go ahead as planned. The abduction of public officials has become an increasingly common event in Colombia.

Often guerrilla groups or paramilitary squads kidnap officials in order to make a political point. Occasionally officials are kidnapped for ransom.