Military officials confess they have been able to do little to stop the AUC onslaught. In the barrios where I have my biggest problem I have only 150 men. Moreno and other officers say they are ill-equipped to deal with urban warfare in narrow streets controlled by rival armed groups. Rebel lookouts shoot off fireworks to warn of approaching police or army patrols. Streets are booby-trapped with explosives hidden in roadside trees or dug into speed bumps, which can be detonated with car alarms, beepers and cell phones.
Security is so bad there are no police stations in the entire eastern half of the city.
To make things worse, many ELN deserters recently switched sides to join the paramilitary. We are dealing with a chameleon. They are all clandestine. They all know who they are. We are the only ones who don't know, and we wear uniforms so they all know who we are.