COLOMBIAN CRACKDOWN STALLS DRUG TRADE

Bogota's mayor has banned large public gatherings, fearing terrorist attacks by drug gangs trying to halt a US-backed crackdown. National Police say the crackdown has virtually paralyzed Colombia's cocaine-producing labs. It is expected that cocaine prices will jump.

After President Bush praised Colombia's 2-week-old offensive in a Tuesday television speech, broadcast live in Colombia as well as the US, two bombs exploded at banks in Medell'in, injuring seven people.