THE RURAL-TO-URBAN SHIFT IN FOCUS AMONG LATIN AMERICAN INSURGENTS IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO A COMBINATION OF FACTORS: RAPID URBANIZATION; THE PRESENCE IN CITIES OF A GROWING CADRE OF STUDENTS AND YOUNG INTELLECTUALS WILLING TO USE TERRORISM TO TOPPLE GOVERNMENTS THEY CONSIDER CORRUPT AND INEFFECTIVE; THE NONADAPTABILITY TO URBANIZED SOCIETIES OF GUERRILLA TACTICS CREATED FOR USE AMONG A DENSE RURAL POPULATION; AND THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE CONSPICUOUS FAILURE OF RURAL-BASED EFFORTS AT GUERRILLA WARFARE AND THE SIGNIFICANT SUCCESSES OF URBAN TERRORISTS. THE TREND TOWARD CITY-BASED TERRORISM IN LATIN AMERICA LIKELY TO CONTINUE WELL INTO THE 1970'S. BECAUSE COUNTERINSURGENCY TECHNIQUES PROVEN EFFECTIVE AGAINST RURAL GUERRILLAS ARE ESSENTIALLY USELESS IN URBAN SETTINGS, THE COUNTERINSURGENCY TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE PROVIDED LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES SHOULD BE REVAMPED. IT IS NECESSARY TO CONCENTRATE ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF URBAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER INTERNAL SECURITY AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF INTELLIGENCE GATHERING. IT IS THESE AGENCIES THAT WILL PLAY THE DOMINANT ROLE IN COMBATING URBAN TERRORISM, WITH CONVENTIONAL MILITARY FORCES ASSUMING A SECONDARY, SUPPORTIVE ROLE. (LKM)