Colombian crisis grows as general quits suddenly

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.

General Jorge Enrique Mora didn't explain his decision and neither did President Alvaro Uribe, who has seen three Cabinet ministers, the head of the Colombian National Police and four other senior police officials resign recently.

The departures came after an October 25 referendum in which Colombians rejected measures that would have cut government spending to free money to fight the rebels, who have waged four decades of guerrilla warfare in this South American country. The measures also would have strengthened Uribe's battle against corruption.