Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has launched his re-election bid, as rebel forces step up attacks in rural areas.
Mr. Uribe opened his campaign Wednesday, promising to continue the fight against violence that has plagued Colombia for more than four decades.
His pledge comes as violence surges in Colombia.
Officials blame the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia for recent attacks on a hotel and a bus in southern Colombia that killed at least 17 people.
President Uribe has negotiated the disarming of some paramilitary groups, in the hopes of ending a 41-year civil war against the government.
In a recent interview with VOA, Colombian Attorney General Mario Iguaran said recent constitutional amendments allow Mr. Uribe to seek re-election in the May 28 election.
If successful, Mr. Uribe would become the first Colombian president to serve consecutive terms since the 1800s.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, Bl;oomberg and Reuters.