FARC shut down transport in western Colombia

Public and cargo transport have come to a halt in the western Colombian department of Choco, following the FARC's declaration of an "armed strike." in the Pacific region. According to Choco Government Secretary Ary Piñeres, the 57th Front of Colombia's largest guerrilla group issued leaflets warning that major transport routes into and around the department would be closed off to passengers and cargo for one week. Following the imposed "armed strike," transport companies have suspended all travel to the region until March 8, newspaper El Tiempo reported. Choco police began surveillance of some of the major road and river routes, while the Army's Fifteenth Brigade has been mobilized to respond to terrorist activity, particularly in urban areas.