Colombian Guerrillas Attack, Kill At Least 80

Left-wing rebels mounted one of their deadliest offensives in decades over the weekend, killing at least 80 soldiers and policemen in separate attacks throughout the country.

In the worst attack, which occurred Friday night, 54 soldiers were killed and 17 were wounded when 500 rebels overran Las Delicias army base in the southwestern Putumayo region along the Caqueta River, Defense Ministry spokesmen said. Another 26 soldiers are missing and believed to have been kidnapped by the rebels.

Military spokesmen said it was the greatest loss of life suffered by the army in a single rebel attack since guerrillas began battling the government nearly 40 years ago.