Eight soldiers were killed by FARC guerrillas in the north eastern department of Guajira Wednesday. According to Colombia, the rebels fled to Venezuela after the battle.
The soldiers -- members of the Army's 10th brigade -- were killed during heavy fighting with guerrilla's of the FARC's 49th front that started around 7AM Wednesday.
Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos expressed his regret over the loss of lives and announced reinforcements were sent to the region to regain control over the area.
President Uribe publicly asked the Venezuelan authorities to help capture the rebels, "because there is evidence that they murdered them approximately a kilometer away from the border and these criminals are hiding in the neighboring country of Venezuela."
"We are asking President Chávez and the Venezuelan authorities for support
to capture them. These criminals must go to jail. They can not continue
with this coward practice of murdering Colombians and then go and hide
in neighboring countries," Uribe added.
