Colombian rebels seize up to 207 workers

Suspected right-wing paramilitary fighters kidnapped as many as 207 workers off palm oil plantations in Colombia in what the army described as the country’s biggest mass kidnapping.

President Andres Pastrana said last night that ‘‘it appears’’ paramilitaries were behind the abductions of mostly young men working on the plantations in the remote eastern state of Casanare. No group had claimed responsibility.