6) Opposition to imperial economic policy took the form of an active contraband trade along much of the Caribbean coast from Riohacha on the east to the Atrato River on the west, and of competition between Peninsular- and American-born white farmers for severely depleted indigenous labor in the eastern highlands (Safford and Palacios 39-41).

On the day after the kidnapping, the army said that eight other hostages among the 17 -- five women, two men and a child -- were found at the mouth of the Atrato river and taken by military helicopter to Quibdo.

On Friday, the Farc kidnapped 10 people from a boat on the Atrato river in the Pacific coast province of Chocó.