QUITO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's army sent troops on Monday to its northern border with Colombia to boost security in the region after a weekend attack that killed 21 Colombian rebels on Ecuadorian department Sucumbios.

    Local media reported intense troop movements, including officers specialized in operating in jungle areas, but did not give a figure for the soldiers on the move.

    The Ecuadorian solders had been quartered in Nueva Loja, capital of Sucumbios, which borders Colombia.

    Wilmer Gonzabay, the chief prosecutor in Sucumbio, told media that the bodies of the guerrillas killed in Ecuadorian territory will be taken to Ecuador's capital, Quito, later on Monday.

    Three women fighters that survived the attack, one of whom is a21 year-old Mexican, have already arrived in Quito where they are being cared for in a Military Hospital there. Two of them were named as Diana Gonzalez and Patricia Perez.

    Gonzalez told media she had been tied to a tree for breaking FARC discipline when the attack took place.

    "The helicopters arrived and began shelling before anyone had time to react," she said.

Ecuador breaks off diplomatic relations with Colombia

    QUITO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador broke off diplomatic relations on Monday with Colombia due to the diplomatic conflict between the two nations, Ecuadorian president's office said in a statement.

    "The government of Ecuador had decided to break diplomatic relations with Colombia, starting today," the statement said. Full story