Bombs disrupt inauguration
The week's news at a glance.
Bogotá
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe declared a state of emergency this week after a rebel offensive left 100 people dead in his first few days in office. The violence began when leftist guerrillas fired mortars into the capital during Uribe’s inauguration. Two shells landed near the Presidential Palace and Congress, where Uribe was being sworn in. Uribe, who campaigned on a promise to crack down on insurgents, decreed an emergency tax to raise $778 million for two new elite military squads with 3,000 soldiers each, and 10,000 new police officers. “The nation is subject to a regime of terror in which democratic authority is sinking,” said Interior and Justice Minister Fernando Londono.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
‘Tariffs at their essence are an income transfer’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Why is Trump backtracking on the Hyundai immigration raid?
Today’s Big Question Backlash threatens investment in US manufacturing
-
The 9 restaurants to eat at this very moment
The Week Recommends They’re award-winning. Isn’t that reason enough?