CNN
June 21, 2000

Venezuelan military arrests 6 alleged Colombian rebels on extortion charges

                  CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- The Venezuelan military has arrested six men on
                  extortion charges and says it suspects they are members of a Colombian rebel
                  group.

                  The men were arrested Tuesday and Wednesday in a sting operation in the
                  western border town of San Cristobal, said Felipe Rodriguez, regional
                  commander of the Venezuelan National Guard.

                  He said one of the men confessed to being a member of the National Liberation
                  Army, or ELN, Colombia's second-largest rebel group. Investigators believe the
                  other suspects are also ELN members, Rodriguez said.

                  The suspects, who are accused of demanding more than $80,000 from
                  residents, will be tried in a military court.

                  Extortion is a key source of funds for the rebels. It is widespread along the
                  Venezuela-Colombia border, Rodriguez said, though armed attacks in Venezuela
                  are rare.

                  "They've dedicated themselves to taking Venezuelan money instead of attacking
                  us," Rodriguez said.

                  The National Guard caught two of the men by hiding cameras in a Jeep
                  Cherokee that an alleged extortion victim handed over to them. Two other men
                  were found waiting in a nearby car, Rodriguez said.

                  The suspect who confessed led investigators to two other men who were
                  charged Wednesday, Rodriguez said.

                  He said one of the arrested men was also wanted by police in the kidnapping of a
                  local girl seven months ago.