And if they can increase the rate of abstention by scaring people away from voting, that would rob Uribe of some of his electoral legitimacy.

The paramilitaries played a decisive role in this election, particularly in the northern part of the country.

In practice he has been able to reduce crime statistics, like kidnapping and homicide, in the major cities.

Most paramilitary power is still intact and it is logical to think they will gain power as they go from being a military force to a political and economic force linked to the cocaine trade and other criminal enterprises.

If these incidents are repeated and they happen frequently, it could have a more serious effect on the president's popularity and credibility.

Quite a few people have to believe something is normal before it becomes normal-- a sort of 'voting' situation. But once the threshold is reached, then everyone demands to do whatever it is.