Colombia arrests 3 after US warns of resort attack

BOGOTA, July 3 (Reuters) Colombian police said today they caught three men at a resort near Bogota with explosives and a photograph of a diplomatic vehicle a day after the US Embassy warned its citizens away from the town due to a threat of guerrilla violence.

The men were arrested during a raid on Saturday in Melgar, a popular warm weather spot known for its holiday homes, swimming pools and nightclubs about two hours drive from the Andean mountain capital city.

The conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, has ebbed under President Alvaro Uribe and attacks on urban areas are now relatively rare. The rebels have mostly been driven back to rural regions, where they are still fighting Latin America's oldest insurgency.

''They conducted a raid and found three men and six grenades in one of the rooms, some wiring and photographs, including one of a diplomatic vehicle,'' a police spokesman said.

No further details were available and the investigation was continuing, he said. The men were being charged with terrorism and rebellion.

A US Embassy spokesman said he had no information on the incident.

The embassy on Friday warned Americans to stay away from Melgar because of information they could be targeted by guerrillas and urged those in the town to keep a low profile and avoid bars and restaurants.

Rebel violence has surged in recent weeks with a string of attacks in Colombia's main port, Buenaventura, a major narcotics route.

The government also blamed FARC rebels for killing 11 politicians who they had held hostage for five years.

REUTERS RKM RK2230