Colombia: The second most powerful military in America!

Simon says on May 1, 2009, 10:57:

LOL Mongo!

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Simon says on May 1, 2009, 10:58:

Come on CG, at least leave my thread in the main section a bit more so more people can see it.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Simon says on May 1, 2009, 11:00:

Sure, on the bottton there are links to see the rankings in every continent.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Simon says on May 1, 2009, 11:02:

http://www.strategypage.com/fyeo/howtomakewar/databases/armies/e.asp


Sweden in ranked #15 in Europe.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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miamimike says on May 1, 2009, 11:03:

Simon--we posters here at PBH would be real Proud of you if you donned a set of Camo Fatigues and served Active Duty in this same Military you so eloquently speak of,,,When can you take your Oath?

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 1, 2009, 11:03:

Simon says on May 1, 2009, 11:05:

Oh, it's just that I saw that this thread moved momentarily to the Politics and War section, but now it's back here.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Simon says on May 1, 2009, 11:07:

LOL Miamimike, I would have loved to, but now I'm past the age I think.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 1, 2009, 11:08:

miamimike says on May 1, 2009, 11:20:

Simon--I don't think age is a problem. A guy here in Florida served in Iarq and he was 51 yr. Give it a try! Where there is the will, there is a way!

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

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poco says on May 1, 2009, 11:21:

Quote: Looks like Colombia could kick Sweden's ass right back to blizzard land!
===============
Actually,, this is true.

Plus: The U.S. doesn't do a Free Trade Deal,, this is priceless,, the Colombians have replaced some fighter aircraft with planes from Brazil.

Colombia is also in evaluations with Brazil to purchase NEW Colombian Cargo planes,,, This just tickles me to death,,

really,,

Zero Union Jobs in the U.S. plus other related industries,, yep,, don't work with a GOOD partner then they can go elsewhere.

Wake up Boeing Machinist Unions,, or say bye bye to half (or more) of your jobs and it does not stop with aircraft.

Brazilian Made,, Colombian Airforce Purchased.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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sanandressi says on May 1, 2009, 11:23:

My brother is a rather high ranking officer in the US military and I asked him about 6 or 7 years ago about Colombia's military and he said he knew some fellow US officers who were in Colombia training the Colombian soldiers and they were not too impressed with the recruits. Very poorly educated. I am sure that the very top Colombian forces are very good indeed but the information above is impressive number wise but there are so many factors. ie The educational level of the forces. Training!!!! Equipment and supplies and logistical stuff. How has Israel defeated larger forces many times?

Iraq had a huge military in 1990 at the start of Iraq one but the training and equipment was poor. Even the so called "elite" Republican Guard was no match for top US and Nato forces.

The sad thing about Colombia is that if there were no subversive forces FARC, ELN the government could use those funds for things like education and social programs.

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Simon says on May 1, 2009, 11:29:

Well, to counter your brother's story, I remember retired General Barry McCaffrey (former US Drug Czar) once said that his father who fought alongside Colombian troops in the Korean war said they were some of the best he had seen in that conflict.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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poco says on May 1, 2009, 11:34:

Quote: My brother is a rather high ranking officer in the US military and I asked him about 6 or 7 years ago about Colombia's military and he said he knew some fellow US officers who were in Colombia training the Colombian soldiers and they were not too impressed with the recruits.
==============================
Which recruits ? The guys who finish High School and do their mandatory military do go into battle.

The military schools are difficult and expensive to attend. What? these guys are not qualified?

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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webmanco says on May 1, 2009, 11:37:

Combat experience against "brothers" does not count, even more when non-professional soldiers were sent to the front line.

do falso positivos count as "experience"?

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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Simon says on May 1, 2009, 11:38:

"Colombia is also in evaluations with Brazil to purchase NEW Colombian Cargo planes,,, This just tickles me to death,,"


I read in El Tiempo that Colombia and Brasil are going to build cargo planes together, such as the one in this pic.



Does it still "tickle you to death"?

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 1, 2009, 11:40:

Webmanco, What other kind of experience does Colombia have, except for a little dust-up with Peru ~1920 (which I think was done from the air) and a minor role in the Korean War?

It's tragic that Colombia has had so many civil wars/conflicts, but that doesn't mean you can't gain combat skills from killing your countrymen.

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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Simon says on May 1, 2009, 11:49:

Well, it's easier than gaining them by killing babies in far away impoverished lands.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 1, 2009, 12:00:

FARC has always been "brothers". Back in the heyday of M-19 urban guerrilla almost everybody knew somebody who had a neighbour or relative or a kid from his class who went and joined the guerrilla. This is not the way it is now, with FARCs, city boys and girls are not going out there to join the subversives, but the kids of the peasants in outlying farms in the peripheria of the provinces are joining, and yes, they are brothers, cousins, neighbours, kids from the class, people who they know. Not aliens from Mars.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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poco says on May 1, 2009, 12:18:

Quote: I read in El Tiempo that Colombia and Brasil are going to build cargo planes together, such as the one in this pic. ,,,,, Does it still "tickle you to death"?
==============================
Damn,, you are good. Exactly,, and yes,, I love to see it,, knew it was happening,,

The way I see it, the Unions with the administrations help (help taking aim?) are shooting themselves in the foot, just like they have done for the last 40 years.

Hey !!!!! Maybe union members could be snipers ? I mean if they can hit their foot every time there must be potential.

The Tucanos are good for FARC elimination,, but for the more serious work,, you need a jet.

Another military plane in Colombia that is NOT U.S. made.

Wonder who makes this? Hint,, FRANCE.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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poco says on May 1, 2009, 12:24:

Quote: but the kids of the peasants in outlying farms in the peripheria of the provinces are joining.
====================
Not in the outlying area where I've lived for the past 6 years.

Where is this going on? The amazonias? OH,, maybe Choco?

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 1, 2009, 12:36:

Not Cartago, Valle. We're talking about the "other Colombia". Putumayo, Caquetá, Vichada, Amazonia, parts of Cauca, Nario and Huila provinces.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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CeeTeeEnn says on May 1, 2009, 12:58:

Those fighter jets are actually Israeli Kfirs, originally derived from French Mirages. The Colombians have been buying them for years and IIRC they're stationed in that airbase in Cali.

The US doesn't usually sell planes to South American countries owing to some long-standing policy about not wanting to see an arms race in Latin America. They made an exception with some of the orignal F-16s going to Venezuela and a recent batch of F-16s going to Chile, but that's pretty much it. This is why Peru and Venezuela have been buying Russian stuff lately.

If Colombia needs a plane to counter Hugos' latest Russian-made toys, they'd better join the queue for the Eurofigher Typhoon.

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poco says on May 1, 2009, 13:05:

Quote: Not Cartago, Valle. We're talking about the "other Colombia". Putumayo, Caquetá, Vichada, Amazonia, parts of Cauca, Nario and Huila provinces.
==========================
That's not a bad list.

However

You should read about the FARC in the book "Out of Captivity - 1967 days in the Colombian Jungle"

It makes it very clear what the FARC are. Plus,, it is also very clear that Ingrid was used as a shield by the FARC,, it is also noted that kidnapping will NEVER cease as long as these hostages serve as shields.

My memory is that FARC members,, the "grunts" are at least 16 years old?

Not a lot of FARC to begin with and a percentage of them choose to "Put a bullet in their Brain" rather than contiune listening to the higher ups FARC members BS.

I'd suggest you try to let new folks know this is NOT even a small portion of Colombia.

WoW: EC up almost 5% for the DAY,,, Ha,, better than GOLD,, which was DOWN.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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billyb says on May 1, 2009, 13:15:

"Back in the heyday of M-19 urban guerrilla almost everybody knew somebody who had a neighbour or relative or a kid from his class who went and joined the guerrilla"

This is farfetched, even back then. The FARC might be webmans brothers, not mine.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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miamimike says on May 1, 2009, 13:25:

Elmo-- You have a Rent Controlled Walk-Up on that Hillside? Maybe that Blue one in the middle with the Red Railings on the porch? LOL

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

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poco says on May 1, 2009, 13:25:

Quote: Those fighter jets are actually Israeli Kfirs, originally derived from French Mirages
====================
Ha,, look at this,, folks doing research. I believe Israel borrowed (stole) the design from the French.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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billyb says on May 1, 2009, 13:26:

Colombia bought 24 of the updated (avionics) Kfirs a few years ago.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 1, 2009, 14:09:

Mongo, I'm talking about the "other Colombia". Yes, the farcenos did not arrive in little shiny spaceships. Every kid out there, carrying a gun has a family and is a brother or sister, son or daughter, mother or father, cousin, friend or neighbour of another COLOMBIAN.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 1, 2009, 14:19:

Not true, Mongo.
FARC recruits most campesino kids from areas close to their camps. They have usually large families.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 1, 2009, 14:25:

I have no real-life experience on that but that's what I read.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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tasco66 says on May 1, 2009, 14:26:

I don’t know any honest Colombian that would call this terrorist a “brother“…

The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev)

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Simon says on May 1, 2009, 14:46:

Well said Tasco! I call that foker 'Satan'!!

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 1, 2009, 14:55:

We have a Satan here on PBH, I wonder if it's him....

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 1, 2009, 16:34:

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 1, 2009, 16:39:

Yes, atrevido, I know it happens. But not everybody who joins is kidnapped or forced to join. And as I said before, they all have mothers, sisters, brothers....they are Colombians not aliens from outer space.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 1, 2009, 16:45:

romy says on May 1, 2009, 17:01:

Nothing to be proud of to have been taken over by the MIC, and still be in a civil war of how many years?

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sloopskipper says on May 1, 2009, 17:25:

And where did the billions of $s come from to build, train, backup, and equip, that military? And then they buy propeller driven fighters from Bazil which look like something from the 1940s, or second generation, Isreali, French imitations.

How much has "busted-ass" Brazil contributed to Colombia's battle/economy? Hell, they can't even keep their own country under control.

And the Colombian army still can't eradicate the rag-tag FARC, with 7 or 8,000 "fighters". What if they had a real enemy?

Disclaimer:

Please bear in mind that I'm sorta talkin' outa my ass and don't really know much of the facts. However this huffin’ and puffin’ that Colombia has built this powerful military, unaided, is a bit tiresome to some U.S. taxpayers.

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poco says on May 1, 2009, 18:14:

Quote: And the Colombian army still can't eradicate the rag-tag FARC, with 7 or 8,000 "fighters". What if they had a real enemy?
==============
I'm positive they could be eliminated but it would cost lives of the innocent,, like I don't care,, they can't be all the innocent or they were kidnapped doing their job,, like the police and military.

Anyway,, nobody wants to take a chance of killing some of these kidnapped folks and I'm sure the kidnapped folks don't want to be killed,, so there we are.

As far as the planes,, what else would Colombia use ? Jets can't do it all. Colombia has some other planes and there is a purpose.

Like a powered glider that can stay in the vicinity many hours. I believe this was one of the planes mentioned in the out of captivity book,, ha.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 1, 2009, 18:21:

sloopskipper says on May 1, 2009, 18:21:

The point was that they take the money sent from the U.S. taxpayers (like me) for defense and the war against drugs and spend it elsewhere for armaments.

What's wrong with this picture?

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sloopskipper says on May 1, 2009, 18:24:

I would not suggest that President Omama shut off the money pipeline, but if he did, the situation in Colombia would most likely quickly change.

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 1, 2009, 18:30:

sloopskipper says on May 1, 2009, 18:39:

Yes, but the more we spend, the higher the traffic, the more coca produced, and the more killings.

NOT a good investment. Maybe better to legalize, like we did with alcohol, and quarentine the addicts, as in Switzerland and Holland, and attend to their needs of the addicts.

Cut the dealers outa the business, and let Colombia deal with their own problems.

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sloopskipper says on May 1, 2009, 18:40:

It seems that more and more gringos are in favor of simply legalizing marajuana (and taxing), and more.

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 1, 2009, 18:41:

billyb says on May 1, 2009, 20:34:

Maybe a long time ago, although desi would like to believe it is the same at the present time, the FARC was able to recruit based on their message of social inequity, and they were probably right at the time, but going back about 10 years ago, they had to change their recruiting tactics by convincing poor, rural, and downtrodden families that if they sent one child into the guerilla, they would receive financial help and the promise of a better future. In the the last the decade, or so, it has become abundantly obvious, except to the most myopic communist idealogues, to the Colombin peasantry that the raison d'etre for the FARC is narco-terrorism, so the FARC has had to amend its recruiting tactics to emphasize the "family tax', which means that any family in FARC controlled territory has to give up one of their children to the guerilla, or face retaliation (IE:murder of one of the parents), Desi, that hardly makes them our brothers.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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goin_south says on May 1, 2009, 21:36:

Laquacky... please always remember : IKEA sucks.

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Simon says on May 2, 2009, 11:53:

Is Desi trying to justify the FARC's existence....again?

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Dolfi says on May 5, 2009, 01:18:

There is no military solution to social problems. As long as there are lots of people in a country who don´t have anything to lose in their life, there will be violence.

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 5, 2009, 03:21:

cali373 says on May 5, 2009, 17:48:

I dont trust the validity of this website. Chile number 8th!!!! right before Venezuela!

Smile if you are a thinker!

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billyb says on May 6, 2009, 07:19:

Chile has very modern and competent armed forces, as they are surrounded by sworn enemies, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia, that would jump at the first sign of weakness on the part of Chile and try to get some of the territories they lost to them last century back.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on May 6, 2009, 07:23:

I think you're right about Chile, except they need to give their soldiers some winter jackets and organize training exercises better. Didn't a dozen or more of them freeze to death on an exercise a couple of years ago? I think it was during a blizzard, but the weather was not out of the realm of known possibilities.

UPDATE:
http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,Defensewatch_060905_Woodson...

Looks like 40 soldiers died, most of them very recent conscripts. It caused quite a stir.

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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