Drug cartel shuts down towns

THE Gulf Clan drug cartel shut down dozens of towns in northern Colombia for four days in reaction to its leader being extradited to the US for trial.

It warned that anyone who disobeyed the stay-at-home order risked being shot or having their vehicle burned. Businesses closed, schools stayed shut, intercity buses were suspended and a professional football match could not be played after one of the teams refused to travel to the game.