Colombian leftist rebels have intensified a counteroffensive against government forces seeking to reclaim the guerrillas' former southern stronghold.

Rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, on Tuesday bombed bridges, roads and power lines and clashed with the army in town near the capital, Bogota. Casualty figures are uncertain.

Last week President Andres Pastrana ended the peace process with the rebels and ordered the military into the former guerrilla enclave. The president ceded the large Switzerland-size area to the rebels three years ago in hopes they would end their nearly four-decades war.

Tuesday's increased violence comes after the FARC kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt Saturday as she drove to the embattled rebel territory. The president has demanded her release.

In an interview with Reuters news agency, rebel commander Pablo Catatumbo called President Pastrana's decision to end the peace talks a historic mistake. He said Colombia's ruling classes and the United States are pushing the country into what he called total war.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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