The statement added that there was no sign of rebel presence in the areas hit, meaning that the attacks were unlawful.

The president himself has estimated that 512 of Colombia's 1,038 cities have some rebel presence.

And, in one village after another, residents said that the rebel presence was felt at night.

They added that the foreigners were not hostages 'in the normal sense of the word' but merely 'unable to move because of the rebel presence'.

"You have reason to suspect a rebel presence there?"

With their allies, the Government's forces are expected to soon eliminate the rebel presence in the southwest.

Videos showed this, and 62 people were killed during the attack, despite the town only having a small rebel presence.

Across this region the rebel presence remains strong.

Several bombings and an effective rebel-imposed ban on public transport two weeks ago attest to the rebel presence.

But Ms. Munoz has grown accustomed, even grateful, for the rebel presence, she said.