6 more in Choco taken hostage Sunday night

bamacellist says on Jan 13, 2008, 20:33:

http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Enero132008/sec_0230903.html

Chocó
Farc secuestró a seis turistas en Tribugá

Elpais.com.co

Las Farc secuestraron a varios turistas que visitában el sitio conocido como el Morro Mico.

En la población de Trbugá, Chocó, fueron secuestrados por el frente 57 de las Farc 19 turistas, entre los cuales se encontrába un profesor de matemáticas.

Los hechos se presentan en un momento en que todo el país habla del proceso de paz y la posibilidad de liberar más rehenes víctimas del secuestro.


Unidades de la Infantería de Marina adelantan desde ayer operativos en un amplio sector del departamento del Chocó a fin de evitar la huida de presuntos guerrilleros del Frente 57 de las Farc que habrían secuestrado a un grupo de turistas.

Según informaciones del noticiero de televisión Noticias Uno, los hechos se registraron en la tarde de ayer en el sitio conocido como El Morro, ubicado a pocos kilómetros del corregimiento Tribugá, en el departamento del Chocó, de donde los subversivos, al mando de alias ‘Silver’ se llevaron a seis veraneantes.

De acuerdo con la información entregada por otros turistas que milagrosamente se salvaron del plagio, después de confrontar la identificación de cada uno de ellos, los guerrilleros procedieron a llevarse sólo a seis de los integrantes del grupo.

según la información entregada por las autoridades, las personas secuestradas son: una bióloga y un profesor de matemáticas, de la Universidad de Los Andes; un profesor del Sena, de Villeta (Cundinamarca), un estudiante de ingeniería y a dos comerciantes del municipio de Nuquí, Chocó.

"The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand."

Enrique187 says on Jan 13, 2008, 20:39:

but wait, they aren't terrorists!

bamacellist says on Jan 13, 2008, 20:53:

Who told you that???

"The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand."

Enrique187 says on Jan 13, 2008, 20:54:

it's uribe's mafia's fault.

bamacellist says on Jan 13, 2008, 20:59:

I wonder if there isn't going to be a wave of this to generate support of the change in status. Chavez and Cordoba have both talked about how the Farc will have to stop kidnapping once they receive belligerent status.

Of course, this is supreme irony since that would be a blatant act of terrorism.

"The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand."

Enrique187 says on Jan 13, 2008, 21:02:

It's nice how they give up 2 to take 6. How kind.

bamacellist says on Jan 13, 2008, 21:06:

One could even say "humanitarian", eh?

"The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand."

slguy says on Jan 13, 2008, 21:08:

I can't imagine anyone's really surprised by this, on either side of the debate.

'Cept maybe my old pal, Clueless Cassini.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

Enrique187 says on Jan 13, 2008, 21:08:

they only do it because they are poor. Narcotrafficking doesn't make the same money it used to.

LilaM says on Jan 13, 2008, 21:25:

Alguien va a recibir un nuevo un GPS a ver si se ubica!!! Son terroristas nada que hacer!!!

Love brings us together, it tears us apart..and yet we still believe.

MitchAlvarez says on Jan 13, 2008, 21:28:

One word: Collateral Damage.

Que entren y salven al que puedan. Pero que maten a esos perros los mas pronto possible.
Thats the only resolution I see.

Tengale miedo a una huelga de mujeres o a una escacez de aguardiente. :)

scotty says on Jan 13, 2008, 23:22:

oh, they do it cuz they are poor, well hell why didnt you say so that makes all the difference in the world.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

DodgerDogs says on Jan 14, 2008, 05:45:

They are gonna take some gringo tourist hostage, in the next few months.
This is true inside info.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

slguy says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:05:

Why aren't we hearing from our "let's negotiate with FARC" contingent now?

Release two- a week later, take six new victims. This is who the government should negotiate with?

These bastards only understand one thing- force.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

docwilliam says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:12:

.

"There's no time to panic"

elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:13:

WHY DOES FARC NOT come to BARRANQUILLA.

PARACOS!!! maricaaa

again, the most my gringo buddies have to worry about in barranquilla is getting ripped off by so called 'novias", pre pagos and hookers.
I forget, falling coconuts too!

docwilliam says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:18:

.

"There's no time to panic"

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:24:

Look at the bright side: If the FARC keeps up this ratio of capturing 3 for every 1 they release, soon enough they'll be unable to do anything else but guard their 10,000 jungle captives 24 hours a day.

What pricks!

Anyone know exactly where this place is that this happened?

elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:28:

In just a couple days ill be slithering around, going after hookers in the most so called dangerous places in curramba. Am I worried??? NOPE!!! WHY??

docwilliam says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:28:

.

"There's no time to panic"

elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:31:

dangerous???? what, they got FARC????? HELLLL NOOOOOO!!!!
WORST!
vALLENATO LOVING ARMED and DRUNKEN GUAJIROS. DON'T EVEN DARE LOOK AT THEIR WOMEN!

durito says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:32:

I'm not sure exactly where they were, but it was in the Choco on the pacific coast near Nuquí. Which had been becoming a somewhat popular vacation destination. I don't know how far out of town they were -- I've been there, it seemed pretty safe to me in the town. Apparently one of the victims is part gringo.

http://www.eltiempo.com/conflicto/noticias/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-...

Un noruego y cinco colombianos son los seis turistas secuestrados por las Farc en Nuquí (Chocó)

"Al parecer se trató de un secuestro de tipo extorsivo" dijo el capitán Benjamín Calle (La W)
Escuchar audio relacionado...
Padre de joven secuestrado en Nuquí narra cómo las Farc se llevaron a los turistas (La W)

Un comando de 10 hombres del frente 57 los retuvo, al parecer con fines extorsionistas, mientras se hallaban en una playa en el sector de Morromico, a la que los excursionistas zarparon sin permiso.

"No cumplieron con las normas establecidas para ese movimiento", dijo el capitán Benjamín Calle, comandante encargado de la Brigada Fluvial de Infantería Número 2.

Allí, los paseantes habían llegado en lancha junto con otras 13 personas desde el Golfo de Tribugá.

Los turistas secuestrados fueron identificados como: Alf Onshuus Niño, profesor de la Universidad de Los Andes de padre noruego y madre colombiana; Ana María Aldana Serrano, esposa del noruego, bióloga y también profesora de Los Andes; César Hoyos Benites, propietario de un hotel en Nuquí; Hernando Martínez Rodríguez, profesor del Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (Sena); Jose Alejandro Torres Hoyos, estudiante universitario y José Arnulfo Rodríguez Barrera, comerciante.

Los otros trece ocupantes de la motonave, entre ellos un juez, viven en Nuquí, según la fuente, al igual que el motorista y su ayudante. Todos fueron dejados en libertad.

El coronel Héctor Aguas, comandante de la segunda brigada de infantería de marina, dijo que se llevan a cabo operativos de búsqueda en la región del secuestro a la que se accede por río, por mar o por vía aérea, que se coordinan con el Ejército con el apoyo de la Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC).

El frente 57 de las Farc es dirigida por alias 'Becerro' y se ha caracterizado por secuestros en el departamento selvático del Chocó, en el noroeste de colombia, sobre el Pacífico y limítrofe con Panamá.

diabloblas says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:35:

docwilliam...you got a dog in this fight?

docwilliam says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:42:

.

"There's no time to panic"

Albatross says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:57:

"Why aren't we hearing from our "let's negotiate with FARC" contingent now?"
"These bastards only understand one thing- force"

It must be nice to live in such a simple "Cowboys and Indians" world.
Our current (U.S.) president likes to talk like that as well... "mission accomplished", "you're either with us, or against us", "bring it on" ... you know, good 'ole boy tough-talk.

But how's it going in Afganistan and Iraq ? Maybe the 88,004 to 88,505* innocent Iraqi civillians killed in the war might have been better off if we had thought things through a bit. And guess what, Pakistan is going down the tubes as well, and serious problems with Iran is next. That region is infinitely more unstable than it's been in decades... thanks to America's abundence of gung-ho simpletons.

For the record, I think it's true that force IS probably the only thing they (kidnappers & murderes) really understand, but what's Uribe supposed to do ?... start a civil war ?... carpet-bomb the whole country ?

I assume that like the Middle East, there is no easy answer to Colombia's guerrilla war.

* http://www.iraqbodycount.org/

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

diabloblas says on Jan 14, 2008, 09:08:

i think i would be pissed if the states were to start shipping people to countries they've never been to...like colomiba does on a weekly basis to the usa

...to be tried & jailed

..oh they're already doing that?

...guess that's why i'm pissed

...guess i go back to getting stoned & pissed

El Polo says on Jan 14, 2008, 09:54:

why was FARC able to operate outside of their comfortable jungle?

diabloblas says on Jan 14, 2008, 09:56:

who made/supplied the guns & bombs & gases that did all this?

who uses more of the natural resources that came from this region?

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:17:

Never mind that.

Anyone remember the thread about a week ago about the security issues around buying land on the remote Pacific coast?

This is the kind of thing that keeps me from putting a toe in those waters.

Interesting how all the locals were released unharmed and the tourists were taken hostage. Apparently even the FARC doesn't like to shit where it eats.

slguy says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:20:

albatross, I'm not sure where you got your rhetoric. first you ridicule my logic..then agree with it.

make up your mind.

or- you just couldn't help a poke at america and/or Bush?

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

Cerealkiller says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:31:

they took 6 in Choco and 4 in Narino...so this appears to be what the "ejercito del pueblo" perceives as the law of proportionality: for each liberated hostage they get press coverage, political status, Venezuela's support and 5 new hostages that get coverage by the local press for a day...maybe.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

Albatross says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:41:

No, I couldn't... although it's gotten so damn easy to make fun of him that I'm starting to feel less than sporting. Maybe, I'll start defending him instead - it would be much more of a challenge.

My rhetoric is all my own, thanks. And although I thought my point was obvious, I'll say it again... there is no easy, "Hollywood", kickass solution to Colombia's guerrilla war.... any more than there was for America's previous guerrilla war - Vietnam, or our current one - Afghanistan/Pakistan.

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

Colombiche says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:12:

The FARC are too stupid and shortsighted to realize that any semi decent behaviour on their part might have given their supporters an argument for negotiations (especially post hostage release). Now, they just shot themselves in the foot. They are being erratic and it is starting to look as different fronts are on totally different pages. I honestly have a hunch we might be seeing the last of this particular movement that did absolutely NOTHING to improve the living conditions of colombians.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:16:

I think they did realize that, Colombiche, but why would the FARC really want negotiations or "Peace Talks"?

There are a lot of different groups with interest in preserving the status quo of lawlessness and violence in Colombia. The FARC is one of them. An end to the conflict would mean the end to business as usual for a lot of different people who are making lots of money, now.

Morrongo says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:20:

Some weeks ago i got flam bade by some traveling minstrel on this site,who didn't even live in Colombia. I stated Choco was particularly dangerous at the moment.
I listened to friends who live on the coast and i took their advise seriously.
Chocos coast is particularly beautiful but is not an area you can explore without high risks...just keep to the really safe locations. perhaps these would have to be re advised at present?

It was not by chance that these tourists happened to bump into these kidnappers,informers are everywhere, to me it was a planned operation,of course they let the locals go ...if the locals were kidnapped their families would certainly pass lots of harmful information to get their loved ones back.....

slguy says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:23:

I'm pretty sure I didn't claim that military action would resolve the problem. I know Colombia can't put enough boots on the ground to accomplish their destruction.

I only said that force is all they understand, and that the "negotiate with FARC" folks are noticeably quiet given the latest outbreak of FARC terrorism.

I have a question for you ex-military types.

Given the technology available to the US these days- real time feed from satellites, infrared-equipped choppers, etc - why couldn't US intelligence techno-assets be employed to locate those jungle-loving bastards? The canopy's too thick for infrared? I'm asking a techno question- NOT a political one, btw.

I'm curious about this.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

Colombiche says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:24:

Good point, but the peace talks would have bought them plenty of time to keep doing what they were doing in the background. Now, they are just pissing off the government and calling for a military offensive, I wonder if Uribe will ever say "screw the hostages, let's just fumigate".

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:39:

SLGuy, the real answer is that the technology that exists can't distinguish between good guys and bad guys. And there are a LOT of people back in those places. Combine that with 3 canopy jungle and almost constant cloud cover and it's not such an easy trick.

As long as the FARC keeps it pretty low key and keep moving around they're not in so much danger from the eyes in the skies.

An exercise that's kind of fun is to "fly" the Pacific Coast of Colombia using Google Earth. You'll quickly figure out why it's so attractive to the narcotics trade.

slguy says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:42:

thanks, Hollywood. I assumed this was the case.....but I'm not the most up to date on current technology.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

docwilliam says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:43:

.

"There's no time to panic"

static says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:15:

And the story has made it into English....

Rebels abduct 6 tourists, Colombia's navy says
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/01/14/colombia.rebels/index.htm...

gatogris says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:34:

I just returned from the Nuqui area, flew in rather than travel by boat, following advice posted on this site, and was planning on going to the beach at 'Morromico', where these tourists were nabbed, but lucky for me, my ride left early, and so I turned back.

The area South of Nuqui, where I stayed for a couple of weeks, seemed really mellow, but you guys know how that goes. In this country, there are eyes that see and ears that hear even when everything seems at its most chill.

Not much in the way of state presence there. No roads. Some military, but again, a bunch of conscripted nineteen-year old greenhorns smoking pot and trying to stay dry under their little camo tarps. No searching out guerillas going on.

Anyway, I'm glad its not me your posting about. Poor bastards.

pedro says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:37:

According to the original article, locals were indeed taken captive:

"según la información entregada por las autoridades, las personas secuestradas son: una bióloga y un profesor de matemáticas, de la Universidad de Los Andes; un profesor del Sena, de Villeta (Cundinamarca), un estudiante de ingeniería y a dos comerciantes del municipio de Nuquí, Chocó."

¡save pow wow!

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 14, 2008, 19:56:

morromico even has its own website.

Looks like a beautiful spot.

www.morromico.com

I was thinking about what the reaction would be like if, let's say, 6 hikers were kidnapped together in the alps, or if the mule train into the Grand Canyon were stopped and six tourists kidnapped at gunpoint. It would be a gigantic international event. But this incident will simply fade into the background of the diminished expectations of Colombia. It's really sad.

goin_south says on Jan 14, 2008, 23:02:

"...But this incident will simply fade into the background of the diminished expectations of Colombia. It's really sad...."

Yep; Sr Tertius summed it up a day or so ago:
The weakened state of Colombia.

But, then... that's what some who have posted here know and like about the country.
Not necessarily all Colombians like that, though.
But, really... few seem to have hope of it changing.
That's about all anyone has. Hope.
With little to hang a hat on.

why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE!

Morrongo says on Jan 15, 2008, 12:46:

gatogris....glad you got back safe and sound......hope you enjoyed your trip.......next time if things are more settled there,perhaps we could arrange a trip by lancha.....although I do stress, when we see how this latest activity works out....

freddy says on Jan 19, 2008, 13:43:

I love Choco. For me it´s my favorite part of Colombia. Word from the zona is that they went against warnings from the authorities that unidentified persons had been spotted there.

I´m planning on heading back this June and July. Hope to see some of you there.

Peace to all.

Paintings from my time spent there a year ago-

http://fredpoisson.fotki.com/paintings/colombia-oil-paintings/

happines is a perfect wave

Desi1 (Moderator) says on Jan 19, 2008, 13:54:

Freddy, lovely paintings!

robi666 says on Jan 19, 2008, 19:27:

Yes, great work!

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

billyb says on Jan 19, 2008, 19:30:

Yes, very nice work, particularly liked "man in boat".

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 19, 2008, 19:32:

Lovely paintings.

I find it difficult to believe the story you heard from people there that the authorities in Choco put out warnings just because "unidentified persons" are spotted somewhere. That sounds like a classic case of the "blame the victim game" that is all too common in Colombia. Just imagine all the warnings they'd have to put out.