To cede to such intimidation would be the beginning of the dissolution of our democracy. The AUC was widely suspected in the abductions, carried out during the past two weeks in several regions of the country. But Castano had not previously publicly acknowledged his role, or explained the reason for the kidnappings. In the radio interview, Castano said he was upset by indications that President Andres Pastrana is considering a rebel proposal to swap some 500 police and soldiers whom the guerrillas hold hostage for roughly 400 guerrillas held in government jails. Critics warn such a deal would dangerously strengthen the rebels.
Kidnapping is a major source of rebel financing.
Another rebel group, the National Liberation Army, or ELN, on Wednesday released 17 hostages grabbed in a mass abduction in September near Cali, Colombia's third-largest city. The rebels freed three others Tuesday taken in the same abduction. Describing their 45 days in captivity, hostages said rebels marched them through the forest for hours, forcing them to pass days and nights without food or sleep. Castano's 6,000-member militias are backed by landowners, drug traffickers and elements within the military in their war against the guerrillas and suspected leftist sympathizers. Human rights groups hold the paramilitaries responsible for widespread massacres.