It is hard to take Uribe seriously with his 'Parapolitics' and 'false positives.' I was in Colombia when he released Rodrigo Granda and other FARC combatants at the urging of the French. He thought this would bring about the release of Ingrid Betancourt. Granda, who is linked to the kidnapping and murder of Celia Cubas, daughter of former Paraguayan President Raúl Cubas, returned immediately to the FARC.
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President Santos says "deliberate attack", but no, it was clear, the evidence was of a surprise and sneaky barrage of fire while the troops were in sound slumber at 11:15PM. Santos and his chump ally, Attorney General, Montealegre, are declaring a war crime as if the Colombian Regular Army was a parr criminal band as FARC, and not the legitimate, democratic force it represents.
I hope that the Colombian authorities and the FARC calm down and continue talking and working for peace and stability in Colombian
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It is just a setback, which is normal during peace talks. Both sides have horrible tactics due to external pressure form the public opinion, the right wing, the drug dealers, the media, etc. I hope they stay calm, and continue talking and working in the points still pending. If it is not now, we will never ever see the light out the darkness and horrors we are living in with this extended conflict.
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I'm Colombian too and feel really torn between both sides since I am against any type of violence, including economic and political violence the government has waged against our people for over 50-years. The political wing of FARC, Patriotic Union's leaders, were decimated by the military and its right-wing paramilitary friends in the 1980s when they tried to go through political channels in order to give voice to the millions of compesinos without land. How do we know the same fate will not await FARC if it puts its arms down and, again, becomes a political entity? There are no guarantees. The Colombian government is great at creating laws, but executing them is an entirely a different matter. For example, the New Victims and Land Restitution Bill passed in 2013 has been abysmal with just a few dozen peasants able to re-claim their land out of millions. Intimidation, fear, and neglect on the part of the government shows you that they are not serious about addressing the root of the problem: Land. In fact, large partials of land have been given to multinational corporations and individuals with close ties to top officials instead of the millions displaced by both FARC and right-wing military death squads. We have the 2nd largest internal displacement population on the planet; this issue should take front-and-center stage if the government is really serious about achieving peace.
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The numerous assassinations of members of the FARC and other guerrilla groups who had begun to participate in the political process in the 1980s by government and non-government forces is never described in the NYT, though it's critical to understanding the current conflict.
Unfortunately, Neumann continues to give a voice to the discrediited ultra right-wing former President Álvaro Uribe despite his narco and paramilitary connections. Uribe was in office when some of the most heinous crimes against Colombians by the military and their paramilitary allies took place, which were either ignored or minimized by the NYT.
Unfortunately, Neumann continues to give a voice to the discrediited ultra right-wing former President Álvaro Uribe despite his narco and paramilitary connections. Uribe was in office when some of the most heinous crimes against Colombians by the military and their paramilitary allies took place, which were either ignored or minimized by the NYT.
1
I think that the Americans and Canadians that justify the FARC's activities here would not be happy if an armed group roamed the countryside of their countries, extorting, kidnapping people for ransom, recruiting minors into their ranks, and making extra money from drug trafficking --- drugs that are sold to US and Canadian customers.
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Yes, Andy, I'm Colombian and live in Colombia. We are tired about conflict, the most people in this country hope the peace, Colombia is one of the megadiverse countries in biodiversity, the ground is very fertile. in the 50 last years, the peasants have had to flee and live in the main cities, without a job in the most times they have to sleep at street, in this moment the field is almost empty. because the FARC are among field killing them.
Sí, Andy, soy colombiano y vivo en colombia. Estamos cansados sobre el conflicto, la mayoría de las personas en este país esperan que la paz, Colombia es uno de los países megadiversos en biodiversidad, el suelo es muy fértil. en los 50 últimos años, los campesinos han tenido que huir y vivir en las principales ciudades, sin un trabajo en la mayoría de las veces tienen que dormir en la calle, en este momento el campo está casi vacío. porque las FARC se encuentran entre campo asesinandolos.
Sí, Andy, soy colombiano y vivo en colombia. Estamos cansados sobre el conflicto, la mayoría de las personas en este país esperan que la paz, Colombia es uno de los países megadiversos en biodiversidad, el suelo es muy fértil. en los 50 últimos años, los campesinos han tenido que huir y vivir en las principales ciudades, sin un trabajo en la mayoría de las veces tienen que dormir en la calle, en este momento el campo está casi vacío. porque las FARC se encuentran entre campo asesinandolos.
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The last time this happened, when the army video of 'the deliberate attack' showed up, it revealed that the Army had mounted a 'drug raid' on an area known to hold a group of rebels. The army misjudged the level of resistance and a number of the soldier videoed themselves being killed.
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Believing that the sad disenfranchised radical will simply lay down their arms is naiive at best.
What does the government expect the rebels to do after ? No education, no emploeement prospects and used to taking what they want.
What does the government expect the rebels to do after ? No education, no emploeement prospects and used to taking what they want.
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The government obviously expects the 'rebels' to stop opposing them and their plans for the land on which the rebels live.
I'm not sure of the current rebel 'demographic' but they seem to be as content in the field as the national army appears to be at its shows and parades - or at least they're not surrendering in droves. According to the US training establishment it's the best-equipped, best-trained, most efficient , 'fat and sassy' force for good in the Southern Hemisphere.
I'm not sure of the current rebel 'demographic' but they seem to be as content in the field as the national army appears to be at its shows and parades - or at least they're not surrendering in droves. According to the US training establishment it's the best-equipped, best-trained, most efficient , 'fat and sassy' force for good in the Southern Hemisphere.
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@ Marty K - "No education, no emploeement prospects and used to taking what they want."
Just like US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf stated about Middle Eastern terrorists "the U.S. needs to get to the root cause of terrorism, which includes lack of opportunity for jobs.” The Colombian govt can’t focus on killing terrorists, instead they need to help them find work. [sarc]
Just like US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf stated about Middle Eastern terrorists "the U.S. needs to get to the root cause of terrorism, which includes lack of opportunity for jobs.” The Colombian govt can’t focus on killing terrorists, instead they need to help them find work. [sarc]
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Not suggesting they should. Just pointing out the futility of negotiating peace with a group, who really have no ultimate decision maker, and can only be stopped by force, or aquiesence
I don't know how to read these comment. But I'll say what I think as a Colombian, living in Colombia and suffering this whole stupid war. Comments like this are only to be understood as a comment from an ignorant who does not even know what is respect and compassion. The FARC, are not a group that even represents the clamor of anybody in my country, they lost its north from the very beginning. It's easy to shout this kind of comments from the outside of the situation, I am 23, and from my 23, 23 I have had to see the horrors of war and the shameful behaviour of the FARC. When Mr. Davis refers to the Colombian Gov as a necrocracy, which according to UN is not even remotely true, are not only blaming or insulting the gov, he is showing a perfect picture of what is to be a complete chatter and worst of all, not having any idea of what he is talking. Clearly, this is not a new situation in my Country nor a recurrent one, but is a blasphemy to accuse gov from doing what the govt are supposed to do to serve and protect , do you recognize that phrase? So next time you shout a comment like this think about the thousands of civilians murdered by the FARC, the millions of humans that had suffered war and not only about you from the comfort of your chair and the ignorance of your obsolete defense of what cant be defend. As a colombian I will appreciate a deep research of what is happening here and a mature lecuture of the situation. Thank you.
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For some reason the 'unrepresentative' FARC have some significant 'legs' - they've been 'at it' in Colombia for more than a generation. Like that rabbit, they've taken a licking and somebody's helping them keep on ticking.
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Not Colombian but know the country well and live there. The progress made by Colombia in building, essentially, a new country and a new social platform, is extraordinary. The difference---on the streets, in the universities, in the neighbourhoods---between the tortured Colombia of 10 years ago and the rapidly progressing Colombia of today is quite amazing. While there is still a faction of regressive leftism that seeks to impede genuine social progress---and our own variety even chimes in here---and make excuses for a virulently poisonous and factually terrorist 'movement' as FARC are, nevertheless their days are numbered. But in the meantime they can still do harm, as we see here. For those with doubts, Colombia has fairly strong social programs and is investing in reconcilliation centers to solve conflicts peaceably. It also has a pretty decent---and free---medical services. The poorer sectors receive subsidised utilities which are inexpensive. The motto of the new government is 'paz, equidad y educación' and it is not mere empty propaganda. There is tangible progress and it is occurring within a fairly typical social-capitalist model. Venezuela sinks into a dangerous mire. Colombia advances. Leave it to our own Left to discover the 'hidden' error here!
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Eugenio: I agree that the FARC has devolved in a bunch of bandits a long time ago. Still, I think that it's not a good idea to drive them against the wall (as Uribe's strategy was) and I fully support the negotiations. It would help if the army would call a cease fire as well (regardless of whether the FARC deserves it - you have to be rational, not emotional, if you want progress).
And, yes, like just about any country aside from the US, Colombia has universal health care. But it's disingenuous to paint it as a socially supportive, egalitarian society. It ranks as one of the countries in the world with the highest income inequality. And that's why, even if the FARC disappears, the violence won't just go away.
And, yes, like just about any country aside from the US, Colombia has universal health care. But it's disingenuous to paint it as a socially supportive, egalitarian society. It ranks as one of the countries in the world with the highest income inequality. And that's why, even if the FARC disappears, the violence won't just go away.
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If FARC itself has abandoned the original goal of overthrowing the Colombian government, then it's strictly a narco-terrorist organization. It controls territory, cocaine production and sales (unless it's also involved in the burgeoning heroin trade). To sustain that, it must maintain the typical activities attributed to such criminal enterprises. What would a peace arrangement resolve unless the government enters into a "gentlemen's" agreement on tolerable levels of drug trade, territorial autonomy and violence meaning kidnapping, extortion, murders etc.?
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Fighting a gang of drug pushers is a lot better than killing freedom fighters? But the notiorious billion dollar cartels caved in long ago and FARC hasn't. There IS a definite difference and it ain't about money.
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The Colombian government cannot and should not agree to a cease fire. We are talking about a democratically elected government, in charge of protecting the people who put them in office. The Colombian army may need to improve their record, but they are the legitimate armed forces of the country, in charge of protecting the national territory. The FARC are not a popular group in Colombia, as anyone who has been there for certain amount of time knows well. The large majority of the population (rich and poor alike) want protection from them.
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As they say it takes two but in this case there are three parts, government, FARC in Cuba and FARC in Colombian forest were Timochenko high rank FARC leader has said they will never give up their guns and all what they want is power. So what kind of negotiation is this one?
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Kudos to President Santos who seems to understand that you can continue negotiating peace while still seeking justice for terrorist acts.
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If it's OK for President Santos to 'seek justice', what's wrong with FARC killing his lawmen?
If this was about seeking justice it would have been over 20 years ago after the first ceasefire. It's about killing the opposition - same as always.
If this was about seeking justice it would have been over 20 years ago after the first ceasefire. It's about killing the opposition - same as always.
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It takes two. Perhaps what is on the table is not enough.
There are three parts and clearly the FARC in Colombia with Timockenko in front said clearly they won't give up their guns and all they want is power and to control the country.
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Just repeating something doesn't make it true. Negotiations have been taking place and whether a minority in the FARC, like the IRA, will ultimately oppose the final decision, shouldn't be used to discredit the process.
Regardless of how the FARC's motives have changed over the years they have not been accused of carrying out atrocities on the scale of the Colombian military or paramilitary forces. The comments on this page either are written by people unaware of these documented atrocities or are apologists for them. And ironically, given Uribe's 'negooiations' with the murderous paramilitaries while President, he continues to oppose any effort for a negotiated settlement with he FARC.
Regardless of how the FARC's motives have changed over the years they have not been accused of carrying out atrocities on the scale of the Colombian military or paramilitary forces. The comments on this page either are written by people unaware of these documented atrocities or are apologists for them. And ironically, given Uribe's 'negooiations' with the murderous paramilitaries while President, he continues to oppose any effort for a negotiated settlement with he FARC.
1
Having visited family in Colombia I know that Colombians are very tired of this conflict, and want it to end. 4 years ago when I visited, they were very happy to be able to travel freely inside (most of) their own country after years of fearing intercity travel and masked gunmen on motorcycles.
Whatever the circumstances and whoever provoked this fight, hopefully the peace process will continue. Since nobody outside Colombia knows who attacked first, it is disingenuous of people to instinctively defend the rebels. Especially a rebel movement that most Colombians view as an annoyance and a threat. Likely there is blame to go around on both sides, but hopefully those who seek peace can overcome the antagonists, whomever they were.
Whatever the circumstances and whoever provoked this fight, hopefully the peace process will continue. Since nobody outside Colombia knows who attacked first, it is disingenuous of people to instinctively defend the rebels. Especially a rebel movement that most Colombians view as an annoyance and a threat. Likely there is blame to go around on both sides, but hopefully those who seek peace can overcome the antagonists, whomever they were.
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Demand that the government make a peace plan and this time stick to it.
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The Colombian government needs to agree to a cease fire. It won't work if just one side has stopped fighting. It allows the army to attack FARC at any given moment. The current results are not surprising.
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how are you sure Colombian governmnet was the one who attacked first? lets not assume stuff like this.. it is rally hard to actually know for sure who attacked first.
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The Colombian government never accepted a ceasefire so it is disingenuous of it to criticize the rebels in these circumstances. The New York Times should redraft its headline to reflect this reality. Perhaps "Colombian Government's Refusal of Ceasefire Threatens Peace Talks".
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If the Colombian army continues to attack the FARC, I'm sure the FARC will continue to defend itself, including pro-actively. Of course, the US media will always side with the government of Colombia in spite of the fact that Colombia continues to be the world's most important narcocracy.
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Everybody knows that FARC is also heavily involved in the production and distribution of narcotics in Colombia, and is also responsible for related crimes and atrocities, in Colombia and elsewhere.
Everybody.
Everybody.
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