By VANESSA ARRINGTON, Associated Press Writer
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - The U.S Embassy is investigating a report that a rebel commander has ordered his forces to attack U.S. citizens in Colombia.
The threats were contained in the transcript of a two-way radio conversations made between rebels and intercepted by police.
A written transcript of them was released on Channel One news late Monday. A copy was obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombia was investigating the threat.
"we take all threats seriously — security is a great concern here," the official said.
The transcript reads: "We must find where the gringos are, because they have all declared war on us," a voice identified by police as FARC military commander Jorge Briceno says, to a fellow rebel. "You all are obligated to fight them as well."
The radio interceptions also appear to confirm the FARC's role in an Aug. 7 attack during the inauguration of President Alvaro Uribe, when mortars showered down on the capital and killed 21 people.
"They shot off bombs . . . at the (presidential) palace, but didn't achieve the objective," said Briceno. "We must continue."
In Medellin, Colombia's second largest city, a police bomb technician was seriously wounded when he tried to deactivate a small explosive planted near a police station Tuesday. And at least eight people returning from a popular bathing spot in Antioquia state were kidnapped, officials said Tuesday.
