AP
Ingrid Betancourt passing out campaign literature

Colombian President Andres Pastrana is demanding the immediate release of presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was kidnapped by leftist rebels on Saturday.

Mr. Pastrana made the remarks during a fiery speech Monday, accusing the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) of "kidnapping democracy." Ms. Betancourt was abducted near an embattled rebel stronghold in southern Colombia as she drove to the area against the advice of the government.

The French news agency AFP says the army has located the rebels who are holding Ms. Betancourt, but has not launched a rescue operation for fear of endangering her life.

Ms. Betancourt's campaign spokesman, Alvaro Soto, says the government was negligent for refusing to provide Ms. Betancourt with transportation by helicopter.

Some government officials have suggested Ms. Betancourt is at fault because she insisted on driving to the region after the army launched its campaign to drive the rebels out of their stronghold.

Meanwhile, the rebels have counterattacked by targeting power and telephone lines, bridges and water pipelines. On Monday, residents of several departments across the country were left without power after the rebels sabotaged power lines and power stations.

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