The main right-wing paramilitary group in Colombia has threatened to kill ten suspected guerrilla sympathisers for every electricity pylon destroyed by left-wing rebels.

The warning, from the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia, came shortly after the leader of the second biggest rebel group, the National Liberation Army or ELN, warned that attacks on the electricity infrastructure would continue.

ELN guerrillas have destroyed more than two-hundred-and-fifty pylons over the last year, forcing the introduction of electricity rationing in large areas of the country.

They say they're opposed to plans by the government to privatize the state electricity company. Earlier this week suspected paramilitary death-squads killed twenty-six peasants in apparent retaliation for the rebel attacks.