Colombia: June 22, 2005

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The large amounts of drug money available to rebel groups makes the fighting in Colombia particularly nasty. For one thing, the rebels can afford to buy the latest weapons, as well as large quantities of more common stuff (M-16s and sniper rifles). But one of the scariest developments has been the increasing use of landmines by the rebels, to protect their camps, and terrorize local civilians. The army is trying to get more mine clearing gear from the United States. Landmines are supposed to be outlawed world wide, but rebel and criminal groups have no trouble getting them, and using them. Laws have little impact on outlaws.