In a country that sees about 3,000 kidnappings annually, more than the rest of the world combined, it should be no surprise that tourists who wander into areas controlled by or under the influence of guerrilla factions may end up being abducted. A group of eight backpackers from England, Germany, Israel and Spain were taken Sept. 12 and all but one are still in rebel hands. A tape recently released by the rebels revealed that they all were being treated well but were weary from being on the move and not having enough to eat. The group was seized when visiting ruins in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northern Colombia. ItÂ’s far from certain when and how their ordeal will end.
