World Notes COLOMBIA

With Colombia's presidential elections scheduled for May 27, the drug cartels have set out on a wild assassination binge. The idea is to influence the outcome, and according to the secret police, the funding comes mainly from drug magnate Pablo Escobar Gaviria. Despite sweeping police operations, the terrorist toll from May 10 to May 17 alone was 503 people murdered and 18 kidnaped, bringing the year's total to more than 5,000 killings and 342 abductions.

The best-known targets in this mean war are Colombia's presidential aspirants. Moving to reduce the carnage, which has claimed three candidates so far, the government last week recommended that the rest cancel any remaining public appearances. All complied, except Social Conservative Party candidate Rodrigo Lloreda Caicedo, who opposes extradition of narcotics criminals. Front runner Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, the Liberal Party candidate, favors continued extradition and no negotiations with the drug rings. He is No. 1 on the Medellin cartel's hit list.