News In Brief

Siege ordered in Colombia after drug foe is killed

President Belisario Betancur imposed a state of siege throughout Colombia Tuesday following the assassination of Colombia's justice minister. The President also vowed a war on drug dealers, who are believed to have arranged the slaying Monday of Rodrigo Lara Bonilla because he spearheaded a crackdown on Colombia's multibillion-dollar cocaine and marijuana rings.

The declaration of the state of siege enables security forces to make arrests without warrants, empowers officials to suspend the right of public assembly, and allows the president to legislate decrees.

The decree cited ''attempts against the constitutional government'' by groups of guerrillas and common criminals.