Colombia protesters throw grenades near US Embassy

Riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd of mostly university students, who were challenging Colombia's diplomatic alliance with the U.S. over the war in Iraq.

"Yankees Go Home!" read dozens of banners, a phrase often used in university protests against U.S. involvement in Colombia's drug-fueled guerrilla war. Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine, and the United States has poured about $2 billion in mostly military aid into the war on drugs.

At least three protesters were arrested for hurling explosives at police, largely shielded by bullet-proof jackets, helmets and plastic visors, a police spokesman said.

A Reuters photographer saw at least 10 people injured, including a bloodied protester and a photographer for French news agency Agence France Presse, hit in the leg by a rubber bullet.

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