The former culture minister of Colombia, Ms Consuelo Araujo, has been found shot dead days after being kidnapped by leftist rebels.
The killing of the high-profile figure could put in jeopardy peace talks President Andres Pastrana initiated three years ago with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The body of 62-year-old Ms Araujo was found near the northern town of Valledupar, say authorities.
The FARC reportedly kidnapped Ms Araujo and 10 other people last Monday at a roadblock on a rural road outside Valledupar.
She was a popular figure, and a friend of Nobel Literature Prize winner Mr Gabriel Garcia Marquez, also Colombian. For years, she had organised Colombia's main music festival, which is held in Valledupar.
She was Mr Pastrana's culture minister and the wife of Mr Edgardo Maya, Colombia's inspector-general, who is in charge of government investigations.
The Colombian president notified the family of her death.
AP