2 dissidents remain in jail after protest

Published Sunday, November 29, 1998, in the Miami Herald

CUBA

2 dissidents remain in jail after protest

HAVANA -- Two dissidents arrested outside a Havana courthouse after a shouting match with Castro supporters remained in jail Saturday, while four other protesters were released, a dissident said.

Elizardo Sanchez, president of the Human Rights and National Reconciliation Commission, said his group has confirmed that authorities are still holding Oscar Elias Biset and Rolando Muñoz.

But authorities released Miriam Garcia, Maricela Pompa, Milagros Cruz and Celia Jorge about 12 hours after their arrests, he said.

COLOMBIA

5 police killed, 4 hurt in guerrilla ambush

BOGOTA -- Leftist guerrillas ambushed a police patrol Saturday on a road in southern Putumayo state, killing five officers and critically wounding four others, police said.

The attack occurred in Puerto Asis, a violent frontier town near the border with Ecuador.

Fighters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia triggered explosives to halt the 10-man patrol, then opened fire as the officers fled from their vehicle, Puerto Asis Mayor Nestor Hernandez said in a radio interview.