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Interpol puts Chávez, Correa on the spot -Oppenheimer

Posted on Sun, May. 18, 2008Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
By ANDRES OPPENHEIMER
aoppenheimer at MiamiHerald.com
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and his Ecuadorean counterpart Rafael Correa can scream and yell as loud as they want, but the fact is that they have been caught red-handed supporting a terrorist group that is trying to topple the democratically elected government of Colombia.

Last week, after Interpol -- the top international police body -- issued a much awaited report certifying the authenticity of 37,872 computer files from Colombia's FARC guerrillas containing hundreds of references to Venezuela's and Ecuador's active support for the armed rebel group, Chávez and Correa reacted -- as they always do -- with insults and accusations against the U.S. ``empire.''

Pretty much like he did a few months ago when a Venezuelan delegation was caught trying to smuggle $800,000 in cash into Argentina for his political allies in that country, Chávez claimed that the Interpol forensic investigation into the three laptop computers and two external hard drives seized by Colombia's armed forces in a March 1 raid into a FARC camp in Ecuador was ''a circus.'' Chavez called Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble a ''mafioso'' and a ''vagabond.'' Correa's discharge was similarly virulent.

Except that this time, it will be harder even for the most gullible Chávez and Correa supporters to take their claims of innocence seriously. The investigation carried out by Interpol's headquarters in Lyon, France, involved 64 police officials from 15 countries, led by forensic computer experts from Singapore and Australia, who were picked independently by their countries' police authorities. Together, they spent 5,000 hours examining the computers.

And the final report by Interpol not only said that the laptops had not been tampered with by Colombian authorities, as Chávez and Correa had claimed, but also certified that they belonged to Raúl Reyes, the FARC's No. 2 leader before he was killed in the Colombian raid into the guerrilla camp.

INTELLIGENCE TREASURE

The FARC laptops amount to one of the biggest -- if not the biggest -- intelligence treasures in the history of anti-guerrilla warfare in the region. The documents have already led to the seizure of $480,000 in FARC funds in Costa Rica and a cachet of 30 kilograms non-enriched FARC uranium outside Bogotá.

Among hundreds of other revelations, the files contain eight references to $300 million in assistance that Chávez had promised the FARC as part of a long relationship that may have started when the FARC gave $105,000 to Chávez when he was in prison after his 1992 coup attempt. Other documents refer to a $100,000 FARC contribution to Correa's 2006 presidential campaign.

The certification of the documents' authenticity raises many thorny questions.

Question No. 1: Will Latin American countries, which cited Organization of American States non-intervention treaties to rightfully reject Colombia's military incursion into Ecuador, now cite equally unambiguous OAS treaties prohibiting countries from aiding armed rebel groups abroad to condemn Venezuela and Ecuador? Or will they keep silent, fearful of losing the billions of dollars they get in Venezuelan oil and political aid?

Question No. 2: Will Chávez and Correa ask for forgiveness to their neighbors, like Colombian President Alvaro Uribe did at the March 18 OAS meeting where Colombia's incursion into Ecuador was debated?

OAS OPTION

Question No. 3: Will the OAS convene a general assembly under the group's 2002 Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism, which forbids member countries from giving safe haven or money to terrorist groups? And will the United Nations Security Council invoke its resolutions 1373 and 1566, which say the same, to condemn Chávez and Correa?

Question No. 4: Will Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva take back his statement last week that Chávez is ''Venezuela's best president in 100 years''? Or does he think that supporting a guerrilla group that holds more than 700 hostages and killed 36 civilians attending a wedding party in 2003 at the El Nogal Club in Bogotá makes a good president?

My opinion: For the record, I don't support U.S. Republican legislators' proposal to add Venezuela to the U.S. list of terrorist nations and imposing sanctions on that country. That would only give Chávez new ammunition to claim he is a victim of U.S. aggression, boosting his popularity at home.

But the international community -- including those of us who criticize President Bush for bypassing the United Nations in his 2003 invasion of Iraq -- should react promptly.

Otherwise, there is no sense in maintaining the OAS, the United Nations and all those grand-sounding international conventions.

By slguy on May 20, 2008, 05:33 in Politics & the war.

tasco66 says on May 20, 2008, 06:33:

The more proof of their support of the Farc comes out in the public, the louder they will scream and yell

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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billyb says on May 20, 2008, 06:38:

The answer to all four questions will be a resounding NO, so that is why Colombia should do what it needs to do, without giving a rat's a$$ what that useless bunch think.

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Monpirri says on May 20, 2008, 06:42:

The proofs are there, ladies and gentlemen let's rock and roll.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Rikito says on May 20, 2008, 07:57:

HOWEVER! (And there is always a however) I think that Uribe will need to go slowly. As bad as Chavez and Corres is, they are SA brothers and when this is all over Colombia and the other countries need to go forward in the nation's life. You have to think globally on what is good for the nation and what impact all of this will have on the Colombian people.

For Uribe, he should quietly and diplomatically press this in the OAS and in the UN. Make that body get some balls and make a hard decision for the first time since they were founded.

What would be the benefit of war with Chavez or Correa? A lot of money spent in the wrong place and a lot of dead Colombians. Look what has happen to the U.S. in Vietnam & Iraq...NADA. A lot of money spent and a lot of dead Americans. Not to mention the death numbers of the enemy. It is easy to say...fuck 'em all and let's go to war! Those that say that have never been to war and saw the death, smelled the decay, or sat in some hole in the ground with your pants full of poop wondering if it is worth it...it ain't.

Uribe's best defense and offense is to gain allies in the OAS for strong economic sanctions. Forget the oil, it is not that big of a deal anyway. SA is the largest producer in the world of 'eco fuels,' so petroleum can minimalized.

So far Uribe has kept a cool head...I pray it stays that way. For the sake of Colombia and Colombianos.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 20, 2008, 08:09:

Does anybody have the exact quotes where the FARC is referring to Chavez contributions or Correa campaign money available?

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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slguy says on May 20, 2008, 08:09:

i'm no expert, but i don't see uribe ever pursuing war with anyone. he's all about ridding colombia of those farc assholes - and is making remarkable progress.

this, of course, assumes that el payaso doesn't provoke him...maybe a pretty big assumption. i'm guessing uribe's smart enough to understand that ultimately the venezuelan people will rid themslves of this embarrassment.

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

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billyb says on May 20, 2008, 08:15:

Desi, go to Semana.com and you can access the Reyes PC files to your heart's desire.

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robi666 says on May 20, 2008, 08:31:

Desi, I am one that used to go very slow on accusing Chavez of helping FARC. I do not like being used by any propaganda, left or right.

But, reading Semana waiting for my plane in Barranquilla yesterday, I found myself laughing... I mean, this thing is absolutely BIG. One could believe it is a joke, for how big evidences are. Unfortunately, it is not a joke and I wonder how anyone could keep defending Chavez and be in good faith at the same time.

On the other hand, I do not think Colombia will have justice. Politic is on a different level...
But, if you ask me, the proves contained in the computer would be more than enough to declare war to Venezuela.

I do not even talk about Piedad Cordoba, because she should be expelled from Colombia right away.

I wonder what will happen within Venezuelan borders...

"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."

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 20, 2008, 08:39:

Thanks, I'm reading it now.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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webmanco says on May 20, 2008, 08:41:

more than enough to declare war to Venezuela.

Don´t go to fast, people in Venezuela need to overthrow their President.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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PALEOLITICO says on May 20, 2008, 08:46:

"Does anybody have the exact quotes where the FARC is referring to Chavez contributions or Correa campaign money available?"

Desi: Mira el video No 1 en el post: "El único problema que tenemos en Suramérica a este nivel es Uribe" para que veas una de las pruebas.

"Si tuvieras la fe del tamaño de una semilla de mostaza y le dijeras a esa montaña - Muévete - la montaña se movería"

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robi666 says on May 20, 2008, 08:51:

Webmanco,
sorry, I did not express myself in the correct way.
Of course, I am against a war. I meant that wars were declared for much less in the past.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 20, 2008, 09:16:

Paleo, lo siento. Para mi Jaime Bayly es insufrible. Miré un pedacito y allí está, con su capul y cantadito,mostrando una carta y poniendole palabras en la boca de otros. No me convence el tipito.

No estoy negando, sin embargo, que no fuera posible que Chavez hubiera colaborado con las FARC, ya sea facilitandoles contactos, haciendoles vista gorda en la frontera, talvez hasta armas y dinero, pero lo ultimo creo que estaba siendo negociado y no tenemos sino una carta de Márquez con pseudonimos y abreviaciones, todo sujeto a interpretaciones.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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billyb says on May 20, 2008, 09:33:

Uno tiene que suspender su sentido comun para no saber de quien esta hablando Marquez, pues quien mas por esos lados tiene $250 millones de dollares y esta dispuesto a gastarlos?

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tasco66 says on May 20, 2008, 09:39:

Didn’t Chavez just threaten to go to war with Colombia because of a bombed Farc terrorist camp in Ecuador? I guess that does not show any support of Chavez for the Farc either, according to the usual negationists on this board.

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 20, 2008, 09:40:

Solo dice "300" sin millones y sin dolares. Pueden ser 300 hormigas culonas o 300 monas danesas con camisetas pro-Farc puestas...

El Cojo? Está confirmado quien es el?

Y aunque fuera cierto y la interpretacion que le están tan convenientemente haciendo eso es tan solo una carta escrito por un guerrillero...quien está o no está diciendo la verdad a sus superiores o tan solo comunicandoles lo que ellos quisieran escuchar.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Monpirri says on May 20, 2008, 09:45:

Pareciera que estuvieras en el "payroll" de la FARC y Chavez.
Too much defense on your behalf for them.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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billyb says on May 20, 2008, 09:47:

Desi, y que otra interpretacion, inteligente y con sentido comun, les daria?

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 20, 2008, 09:53:

Puede que hubiesen estado jugando monopolio who knows JEJE

eso no le busquemos el pelo negro al gato blanco . esos todos estaban enredados hay estan pintaditos

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webmanco says on May 20, 2008, 09:56:

tal como en los chistes

Papito no es lo que parece ser , hehe

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 20, 2008, 10:18:

"Pareciera que estuvieras en el "payroll" de la FARC y Chavez.
Too much defense on your behalf for them." (Mompis)

Ay caray! Me descubrieron. Los 300 eran parte de mis honorarios por defenderlos.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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tasco66 says on May 20, 2008, 10:31:

Desi is a “light" version of Cassini, without the insults and the drama

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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PALEOLITICO says on May 20, 2008, 10:40:

Desi, no juzguemos solo con las pruebas que se hayan encontrado en el computador ( que me parecen contundentes y no hay que tener mucha malicia para descifrar a lo que se refieren), es toda esta historia mirada globalmente:

* Es la insistencia de Chavez por defender a las FARC a toda costa y asegurar que no es un grupo terrorista,

* Es la reacción que tuvo Chavez con la muerte de Raul Reyes, que hasta homenaje le rindió.

* Es el apoyo total a un pais y a un presidente que estaba albergando a la guerrilla (un presidente que nunca habló de la invasión a su territorio por parte de las FARC pero si habló de la invasión a su territorio por parte del Ejercito colombiano)

* Y en general estamos hablando de un tipo que nunca ha disimulado su simpatía hacia las FARC y su odio por quienes los combaten. Así que, el que haya tenido negociaciones con ellos me parece lo mas factible del mundo, dados los antecedentes.

Y a mi también me parece terrible el peinadito de Bayly y su capul. Creo que está grave de asesor de imagen. Pero a mi lo que me importa son sus argumentos, su excelente oratoria y su inteligencia. Puede peinarse como quiera mientras siga siendo tan coherente a la hora de hablar.

"Si tuvieras la fe del tamaño de una semilla de mostaza y le dijeras a esa montaña - Muévete - la montaña se movería"

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 20, 2008, 10:42:

Cassini was a pretty smart guy.
"Giovanni Domenico Cassini (June 8, 1625–September 14, 1712) was an Italian mathematician, astronomer, engineer, and astrologer" ...ok perhaps not the astrologer part.
But no tasco66, I'm not a light version of anybody. That's DesiLight.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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romy says on May 20, 2008, 11:30:

'Con ellos o con nosotros' attitude keeps showing its ignorant face

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 20, 2008, 11:33:

I think it's a safe bet that the $300 million allegation is not based soley on evidence from the computers.

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tasco66 says on May 20, 2008, 13:09:

The drama queen is back!

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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tasco66 says on May 20, 2008, 13:18:

How many posts have you already flagged today Cassini aka Buggy? Jajaja

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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Morrongo says on May 20, 2008, 14:18:

The 300,000 mentioned, any betting person would presume we are talking about money...hell it could be anything but overall it don't look good does it?

If Chavez murdered someone by stabbing them thirty times in front of 40 independent witnesses with knife in hand ,covered in blood ,shouting,''Yes i killed the bastard'' or in his case 'sí, maté el bastardo' Iam sure some posters on this site would spin a yarn of waffle that would detach him from all guilt.

I take propaganda whether it be from Colombia,Venezuela,Ecuador with a pinch of salt...But sometimes you just got to own up and admit the evidence is quite negative for Venezuela and Ecuador 'at this time',unless you are so far out there, that your address ends in Planet Zogg.

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OneHappyBoy says on May 20, 2008, 17:15:

I really doubt the impotent Chavez will ever piss Colombia off too bad.. If he invaded Colombia, Washington will come to the rescue, (as they should) and with a few precision bombs, help shudder Chavez in his boots. (We do REALLY WELL dropping bombs. We just occupy badly). Nobody will really come to the aid of Venezuela, since I think Chavez has pissed off about everybody but the Iranians and Equadorans, and I don't think they see Venezuela as an Islamic friendly country, ripe for terror. Plus, we ARE his market for crude, (ask every pissed off US citizen who buys from a CITGO gas station). As goes his a Venezuelan oil embargo, so goes the Venezuelan economy..

My thinking, the US, and SA should be looking more like the EU and less "like big bro little bro" and grow our economies. Then we can give the Chinese and Indians something to piss and moan about! (after Chavez is in a prison somewhere in Guyana!)

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sloopskipper says on May 22, 2008, 12:42:

Noriegaville redux?

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sloopskipper says on May 22, 2008, 14:02:

But, I would not want the Venezuelean people to endure what the Panamanians went through in 1989.

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