THE commander of Colombia’s armed forces became the latest senior official to quit his post, abruptly turning in his resignation and ending a 42-year military career.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe abruptly cancelled his appearance at a hotel today and was rushed to a military base by helicopter amid reports that rebels planned to assassinate him.

COLOMBIA’S new president, Alvaro Uribe, declared a state of near emergency yesterday, and introduced a new tax to help fund the fight against a “regime of terror” after a spate of rebel attacks.