FARC intensified its attacks in rural areas, in advance of the legislative elections of the coming weekend. As well they have promised to free two of their hostages, policemen, an offer described as abusive and political blackmail by President Alvaro Uribe.

In San Vicente del Calguan, in the former FARC ' free zone' where peace talks had been held between 1999 and 2002, two people, both civilians were killed and nine other injured in a bomb explosion.

Saturday, three other civilians, among them a 6-month old baby were killed in Montebonito, 170 km to the north -east of Bogotá, another attack blamed on FARC rebels. On 25 February, FARC killed nine local councillors in the little town of Rivera.

Elsewhere, attackers blew up an oil pipe and electricity pylons, according to official reports.

Two weeks ago, FARC announced a ban on all traffic in five provinces, including Caqueta, where San Vincente del Calguan is located (310 km south of Bogotá). This ban will last until the presidential elections in May in which Alvaro Uribe, 53, known for his 'strong arm' policies against rebels is tipped to win with 50% of voting intentions. And this after a Constitutional revision where by he is allowed to serve, if elected, a second term in office.

Supporters of Uribe who are candidates in next Sunday's elections should, according to the latest surveys, also be very successful.

Sunday last FARC announced they will free two policemen held hostage by them for 6 months and will hand them over to the opposition candidate in the presidential elections, Alvaro Leyva who has included restarting peace talks with FARC in his election programme. President Uribe's response is that this announcement is equivalent to " human trafficking, a total abuse of democracy".

Leyva who has for many years acted as an intermediary in the conflict with FARC is a personal friend of FARC chief Manuel Marulanda. He has less than 1% of the voting intentions.

In a statement released last week, the International Federation of Human Rights strongly condemned the campaign of violence launched by FARC.