What a People's Army Gets You

Here's a piece I wrote last week about the bus bombings. This was mainly for friends who don't know Colombia, but I thought someone here might enjoy it, or be willing to offer criticism or correction as needed...

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FARC-EP. In English, it stands for Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army. They're the oldest and largest, richest, best-equipped insurgent army in the world. For over forty years, they've been fighting the hopelessly corrupt Colombian government. Financed by cocaine and kidnapping, they're also unique in being entirely self-supporting, and in having their own air force, of sorts. For a few years in the late 90s, the president of Colombia even ceded control of an area the size of Switzerland to the FARC.

Farclandia. Pretty progressive, actually. They used female troops to police wild frontier towns, as women seemed to be better at defusing difficult situations. They required prostitutes to get weekly checkups. Lacking jails, they put criminals and fuckups to work building roads and bridges, improving the nearly nonexistent infrastructure. In the cash-poor farming communities they controlled, they oversaw a rural barter economy based on coca paste.

Life got more difficult for the FARC with the election of right-wing President Uribe in 2002. They saw it coming, and predictions were, the shit was going to hit the fan. As Uribe promised to destroy the rebel armies, the guerrilla promised to destroy back.

They tried to mortar Uribe's inauguration ceremony, but didn't get very close. In early 2003, they car-bombed a social club frequented by government and military officials. They also lucked out when a small plane crashed in the jungle, nearly on top of a FARC unit. Three American military contractors were taken from the airplane and are still being held in captivity today. In late 2003, they dropped a couple of hand grenades in two upscale bars... bars I did, and still, go to fairly often.

The FARC have a lovely website. I sent them a polite email asking them to please not blow up bars I go to. Hand grenades alone are bad enough, but when you drop one next to a big propane heat lamp on a crowded outdoor deck, even worse things happen. They never responded. Rude pricks.

In early 2004, a US military contractor told me a story about being in a club that got raided by Colombian police and special forces. A few FARC operatives had entered the club with pistols and were planning a shooting spree. These are the stories that don't make the press.

But for the past few years, it's been quiet. The FARC is still out there, and it seems every few days there are back-and-forth news reports - a few Colombian soldiers killed here, some FARC guerrillas killed there, business as usual in the remote jungles and mountains. But in the cities, security is tight, the economy is booming, and life is more normal now than ever before.

Until this week.

The Transmilenio is Bogota's prized mass transit system, a highly successful joint private and government enterprise that uses dedicated bus lanes to move thousands of Bogota's working class around the city every day. There are five endpoints of the system and more under construction. At each endpoint, a system of 'feeder' buses use regular city streets to extend the Transmilenio's reach into the surrounding neighborhoods.

Right now, I live near one of those endpoints. Last year, I lived near another. I use the feeder buses regularly.

And this week, two feeder buses were firebombed. One in the poor south, and one in the middle-class west, where I lived last year. Small firebombs, I'd guess something like a Molotov cocktail tossed at the sides of the buses from the street. The buses burned, but amazingly, considering those buses are usually jammed beyond capacity, no one was killed. At least, not right away.

So far, two young boys have died from the burns they received. We tend to gloss over what that means, but dying from burns must be one of the worst ways to go. And when the victims are 10 and 11 years old, well, you can't not get pissed, deep down inside, somewhere black and primal.

Mortar Uribe, that makes sense. Blow up a government social club, I get it. Drop a hand grenade on my rich gringo ass, I see the point. But firebombing average working stiffs, the underclass, normal, struggling women and children, the very people they claim to represent...

I imagine the concept is to undermine Uribe's message of security. There's a presidential election in late May, and campaign season just started. No question, largely on the strength of the visible improvements in security, Uribe's got a lock on this election. Hell, they changed their constitution just to allow him to run for a second term. I guess the FARC figures that if they can hit the successful and visible Transmilenio, they can show that Uribe's not so strong. Except, obviously, this is fucking retarded. It only makes people hate the FARC even more, and hope that Uribe gets elected again so he'll wipe more of them out.

Which raises the question... was it really the FARC, as claimed by the government? Recently, the government broke up a counterfeit passport ring that happened to include a Middle Eastern man. Naturally, the government claimed they'd busted up an 'Al-Qaeda' link. Not the first time a Latin American nation has made a highly dubious Al-Qaeda claim. And why not? If it gets the gringos all riled up enough to spread around some of that plentiful anti-terrorist dinero, what the hell, I think Al-Qaeda stopped up my shower drain this morning. So who knows. The FARC is the default, and certainly most likely, culprit, but in a country that invented 'magical realism,' you have to figure that everything is possible.

All I know for sure is this: fuck politics.

I've only met one solitary Colombian who was politically inclined - his family was related to a former president - and he was a precious few neurons away from drooling on himself in public. The people I talk to about politics are generally well-informed, but they all agree. Fuck politics.

I get it.

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A friend then made a comment about US involvement and the FARC, here's my comment back:

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You know, on this topic, strangely, the longer I'm here, the less I'm interested in US involvement. It's starting to make sense to me that the Colombian people generally don't seem to have strong opinions about it, either. In this country, the US is just Milo Minderbinder. It's a force of economic nature. This war in Colombia will sustain itself in perfectly ugly ways with or without the US. Although it seems to be of some benefit to have the US involved... apparently, ten years ago, in the nearby hills where luxury high-rises are now sprouting like dandelions, FARC troops roamed pretty freely. You sure don't see that anymore, and no one's been missing the fucks. Could Colombia do that without US assistance? Dunno. If I had to guess, I'd say no, but that's based solely on gut feeling. I mean, spy satellites and modern imaging techniques must be pretty goddamn handy.

But of course, US involvement ain't all good. It's a mixed bag, and there's really no way to know what's really, really actually happening, anyway. So what to make of it? You shake your head and say, fuck politics.

I brought up the bus bombings at a small party the other night. I was surrounded by artists and actors - you know, lefties. FARC is supposedly a left-wing organization, right? But man, mentioning the bombings was a mistake. Way to kill the mood. I never saw Colombians get so excited about a political topic, and the words they used to describe the FARC... whew. Let's just say, they hate the FARC more than they hate George Bush. Hell, I think they hate the FARC more than WE hate George Bush, if that's possible. At least the FARC gives everyone across the political spectrum something in common to hate.

By goosekirk on Apr 14, 2006, 01:15 in Politics & the war.

Morri says on Apr 14, 2006, 08:15:

Thanks for the Post Nice writing -- its interesting to hear your views on the subject of the FARC. I agree, its hard to know whats really going on down here and I'm sure its a hotbed of counter/terrorism/spook stuff, etc..

I couldn't tell from your post whether the FARC actually claimed responsibility for the bus bombings or the media gave it to them. I didn't read anything about it so I'm completely ignorant of the situation.

Usually when something this vicious happens, its good to stop and think about who has the most to gain from the situation. Follow the money trail and see who benefits the most.

I read a magazine article about a year ago -- some journalist had traveled with the FARC and wrote about the situations you describe, i.e., the women police, prostitutes being checked for aids, etc. Seems odd that an organization that was that socially well organized would stoop to bus bombings, but I didn't understand why they kidnapped Ingrid Bentancort either.

Miguel_Clavo says on Apr 14, 2006, 10:01:

Interesting Article....but please, no more National Inquirer style government "Conspiracy Theories".."Which raises the question... was it really the FARC, as claimed by the government?" Great fodder for the psychologically paranoid .But when FARC, with the immense financial resources they have at their disposal, can match the government of the people of Colombia tit-for-tat in an insurgency and 40 year old civil war, i dont think the Colombia goverment needs to burn any buses....they just give FARC enough rope to hang themselves, which they obligingly do, without fail.

With regards to the statement by Morri about FARC being that "socially well organized" by having medical checks for the prostitutes (who exist there only for the benefit of male FARC members) and the majority of FARC police officers (misnomer) being female (who dont do as well in the jungles as the males; reality based fact and not politically correct as is, to be sure) is only a very good utlization of manpower (i know, i know, not a politically correct word.....). FARC's only concern with medical checks is so that their pecker doesnt fall off when they force themselves on these girls...ever think of that? Hardly a genuine concern for the AIDs and STD epidemic..purely a selfish motive not to be confused with social development skills.

And obviously you dont like Uribe,("Mortar Uribe, that makes sense.") but other than complaining and whining about your inconveniences, i dont see you out there trying to make life better for Colombians like he has been doing. Much easier to be a keyboard warrior and drink lattes.......while criticising others who are risking their life and the lives of their families, so you can write your articles from relative safety and anonymity. What freedom you do have in Colombia, including the right to complain, was never free to begin with. Keep things in perspective. Dont criticize something or someone unless you are ready to step up to the plate and try to do better.

I think second to FARC, the biggest obstacle to Colombian freedom is the corruption of the government officials, which seems to be inherent like a cancer. Makes US Congress and US politics look amateurish at best.

Overall: Good article with interesting observations from someone living there, your heart is in the right place, but my feeling that one shouldnt complain unless one is doing something to fix the problem. Otherwise, they are indirectly part of the problem, which makes it much more difficult for those doing something to solve the problem.

One last thing, "Fuck politics."....Dont get involved and let others make all your life decisions for you isnt something that will make your life better....unless you are genetically a sheep. The current method of social interaction and organization may suck at the moment, but it is a dynamic process resulting from contributions of alot of good people who are trying to make things improve.

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo

"Ignorance is a Weapon of Mass Destruction..."

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

goosekirk says on Apr 14, 2006, 12:35:

Don't read too much into it I'm not talking about government conspiracy theories. All I'm saying is, who knows? Could've been a couple of bored kids. Gang violence. Organized crime, wanting to shake down the people who own Transmilenio. Of course, all of that's unlikely, but the point is, not impossible. I don't think it would matter how crazy the real story was, here in Colombia, people would just shrug their shoulders and go, hmph.

And I don't happen to have an opinion about Uribe, except that he seems to be doing good work. 'obviously you dont like Uribe' shouldn't be obvious at all, as I think 'drop a hand grenade on my rich gringo ass' is obviously not meant to mean that I advocate someone actually do that. Nor am I rich. That statement is to contrast the logic behind FARC attacks, and show that the Transmilenio bombing has no logic.

I don't see me complaining or whining about my inconveniences. You devoted all that time to assuming I hate Uribe based on that one little sentence?

I also doubt that prostitutes in FARCland exist solely for guerrilla. Supply and demand. Your statement would suggest that no men except those from the FARC want to sleep with prostitutes, and I think that is highly doubtful. I think the National Geographic article I got that information from was probably quite accurate, and that as much as I hate the FARC, that doesn't mean they don't do some things in a decent way. Blind all-encompassing hatred for your opponent doesn't do you any good whatsoever, and doesn't help you understand the issues you need to resolve in order to beat them.

I agree with this:

'I think second to FARC, the biggest obstacle to Colombian freedom is the corruption of the government officials, which seems to be inherent like a cancer. Makes US Congress and US politics look amateurish at best.'

And I hear that from most Colombians as well.

But this:

'my feeling that one shouldnt complain unless one is doing something to fix the problem.'

I can't agree with. I don't feel like I'm complaining - in fact, on a personal level, I rather enjoy the insanity of Colombia. And it's easy to be preachy, but what exactly would an extranjero do to fix the problem here? Pick up a gun and kill me some FARC? Wear a pro-Uribe t-shirt? What are you talking about? I literally ask every Colombian I get to know what they would do to fix the problem, and I haven't heard one good answer yet. Mostly they say, the problem is not solvable. I hate to think that way and must believe that a solution exists, but I don't know what it is. What've you got?

Neonovo says on Apr 14, 2006, 14:07:

The "Social Club" bombing in Bogotá... The "Social Club" bombin in Bogotá was fscilitated by a disgruntled tennis-coach, is the version I heard from a socialite who attends the club often.

Neonovo

Miguel_Clavo says on Apr 14, 2006, 15:26:

A couple of comment/thoughts:

"Could've been a couple of bored kids. Gang violence. Organized crime, wanting to shake down the people who own Transmilenio." (G)

Could have been Elvis, also, but i would put my money on the opinion of the people there who have the responsibility for the investigation.

"people would just shrug their shoulders and go, hmph." (G)

That's what happens when civil war and violence become intstitutionalized.

"Mortar Uribe, that makes sense. Blow up a government social club, I get it. Drop a hand grenade on my rich gringo ass, I see the point." (G)

Seems very obvious, if you can promote the concept that to kill a head of state like Uribe make sense, to kill/maim government members and civilians in social setting by bombing them somehow makes sense to you.....sorry, very obvious, doesn't make sense to me.

It seems to you that it is perfectly understandable for the above violence to occur, but you "can't not (sic) get pissed, deep down inside, somewhere black and primal" (G), when those 2 children were involved. Have any idea how many children are killed and disfigured every year by land mines set by FARC to protect their precious narcotics?? Your gonna puke when you read those statistics.......go the extra mile and view some of the photos too.

"But firebombing average working stiffs, the underclass, normal, struggling women and children, the very people they claim to represent..." (G)

The firebombing of target-rich environments is not a new concept to terrorists....ever hear of IRAQ? By the way, its a great publicity grabber as well. And who uses public transportation? To FARC, these people are meaningless.

"I don't see me complaining or whining about my inconveniences. You devoted all that time to assuming I hate Uribe based on that one little sentence?" (G)

Yep, that was all that was needed, if you have no issues with Uribe getting blown up....took no time at all......

"I also doubt that prostitutes in FARCland exist solely for guerrilla. Supply and demand. Your statement would suggest that no men except those from the FARC want to sleep with prostitutes, and I think that is highly doubtful. I think the National Geographic article I got that information from was probably quite accurate," (G)

Umm....who has the money in FARCLANDIA will tell you who uses the prostitutes, who, by the way probably would have "I'd rather be in Hawaii" license plate frames on their cars if they owned them since i doubt they dreamed of becoming a hooker when they grew up. And you are right, that i doubt a hooker could afford to turn down a non-FARC male. But again, FARC males require medical checks because they don't want their own peckers to fall off. Simple concept, actually. And realistically, i cant imagine any self-respecting narco-terroristic marxist organization who would reveal any damaging information to even your beloved National Geographic magazine.

"Blind all-encompassing hatred for your opponent doesn't do you any good whatsoever, and doesn't help you understand the issues you need to resolve in order to beat them." (G)

Blind all-encompassing hatred is an absurd accusation. Their actions alone are the motivating factor here. Issues are readily identifiable, and the solution is obvious. Sort of like the concept that an executed murderer will not return to kill any one else? Kind of harsh words for the timid, and those who lack intestinal fortitude...

"what exactly would an extranjero do to fix the problem here? Pick up a gun and kill me some FARC? Wear a pro-Uribe t-shirt? What are you talking about? " (G)

I really dont want to get into a lesson on Civic Responsbility and Duties here, but i dont expect you to Rambotize yourself or place flowers in the barrels of the FARC assault rifles, but there are many ways to get involved...one's imagination and intelligence would be the only limitation....everyone has to determine how involved their stomach will allow them..... you may have touched on one already...challenging your friends, both Colombia and foreign, left and right wing, to get involved, get angry at the atrocities committed by FARC, reach a point in life where they conclude that enough is enough, and to try to take control over their destiny for a change! To be complacent and to acknowledge the hopelessness of life is not an acceptable option.

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo

"Ignorance is a Weapon of Mass Destruction..."

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

redway says on Apr 14, 2006, 17:20:

Goosekirk's Post I would like to thank Goosekirk for writing such a sensitive and intelligent post about the FARC. I don't believe he his saying more than what others are thinking, both in the U.S.-where I live-and in Colombia. The bottom line is that children died perhaps the most painful, slow deaths possible. Because of imbeciles. It is amazing these assholes have been around as long as they have been. I don't see the FARC-after reading some about them- as being strong or "together." They are weak. Otherwise they would not murder anyone, much less innocent kids. They are losers.

Miguel_Clavo says on Apr 14, 2006, 17:32:

I agree w/ you, redway, i like to see people posting about FARC because it makes people think about the issues and atrocities faced by real humnan like us on a daily basis....the biggest problem in fighting FARC is that they have an equal to or even better financial base than the government of Colombia, and they dont have to abide by any civilized rules like the goverment. They can do anything they want to without remorse or inhibition. And the fact that logistically it is a nightmare of a war to fight due to the inaccessiblity of the terrain and a little problem of mine fields....but i like to see people, especially living in Colombia, to bring their perspectives to the table....i may not agree with everything that is written here, but i do respect other perspectives, because multiple intelligences are greater than only one.

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo

"Ignorance is a Weapon of Mass Destruction..."

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

Sr Tertius says on Apr 14, 2006, 22:53:

Excuse my skepticism but... Goosekirk: It's rare for me to find anything interesting in PBH anymore, particularly in W&P, but I enjoyed your post. I have a few of disagreements, though. First: The assumption that FARC were the perpetrators of the attack. It's not impossible, but FARC has denied it. Should we believe them? I don't know. But why believe the Uribe administration, without any public evidence of their claims? Like they've never lied before. If the evidence were to piled against him, it would be somebody else's fault, or, like in the Coronell affair, just a prank. Here's the statement from Raúl Reyes, in an interview with ANNCOL:

"ANNCOL: Las FARC han denunciado en varias ocasiones, que atentados contra civiles indefensos que fueron atribuidos a la guerrilla, en realidad fueron perpetrados por el DAS u otros servicios de inteligencia del Gobierno. Es ese el caso de los atentados contra el Transmilenio en Bogotá, dónde murieron dos niños?

REYES: Sí. Y hay muchos otros casos, basta recordar lo que ocurrió cuando con el Gobierno de Pastrana estuvimos en plenos diálogos, y Pastrana se había comprometido con que las dos partes de la mesa de diálogos a realizar a una gira internacional, entonces agentes de la inteligencia colombiana le colgaron a una humilde señora, Elvia Cortés, un “collar bomba�?. La asesinaron y quisieron responsabilizar a las FARC de este execrable crímen de Estado. Luego de que las FARC lograron, demostrar que no tenían responsabilidad en este crimen, Pastrana accedió a que se hiciera la gira por Europa. Pero ya le habían hecho el grave daño a los diálogos al señalar a las FARC responsables de lo que nunca se hizo. Lo que hicieron con los buses en Bogotá, es muy parecido. Ahora son los mismos agentes de inteligencia del Estado que cometen estos crímenes para justificar el gran fracaso que ha tenido la política de “Seguridad Democrática�? y el “Plan Patriota�?. Por otro lado están detrás de conseguir más dinero del empresariado colombiano y mayores inversiones de los gringos en la guerra contra el pueblo inerme.
ANNCOL: O sea qué hombres de Uribe colocaron las bombas?

REYES: No existe otra explicación. Es otra acción del terrorismo de Estado en Colombia."

Second: "Fuck politics." As Peñalosa once said, if you don't do politics, politics are done to you.

And from the reply: "FARC is supposedly a left-wing organization, right?" Only in their own mind, and in the mind of the most reactionary Uribistas.

"I literally ask every Colombian I get to know what they would do to fix the problem, and I haven't heard one good answer yet."

I've made the same humble proposal for the last 10 years, and every time it is applied, it works wonderfully. Volunteer a little time to work with communities in FARC territory (not zona roja, obviously). And take your kids with you. I can say from my own and others' experience, it is an eye-opener.

"but i would put my money on the opinion of the people there who have the responsibility for the investigation." My money is on the evidence, which is lacking.

"Have any idea how many children are killed and disfigured every year by land mines set by FARC to protect their precious narcotics??"

If we are going for the shock value of the events, check the atrocities commited by paras with the direct and indirect collaboration of armed forces. I agree that all these things are revolting, regardless of the perpetrators. That's why I don't base my political opinion on that. I leave it like what it is, as Goosekirk described, an anger "deep down inside, somewhere black and primal." Somewhere where the light of reason never shines.

"ever hear of IRAQ?" Talk about a stretch. Speculations cannot substitute for the lack of information on FARC sabotage tactics (which are somewhat inconsistent with the attack).

"the biggest problem in fighting FARC is that they have an equal to or even better financial base than the government of Colombia" Ran the numbers, and they don't add.

Look, I have no sympathy for FARC, as I've said here repeatedly. But if you REALLY want to make them dissapear, a few things are necessary. Get to know them, what they think, and why they think what they think. Saying that someone is a crazed murderer simply shows lack of research. Check the reasons why the have survived for 40+ years, even before the got involved in the drug business. Be critical of a government that, despite appearances, is not fighting the problem but adding more fuel to the fire. Check Uribe's 100 points: Why did they fail? Could he have done it any other way? Check the interests behind the government actions. And, yes, get involved, very involved, in whichever way you deem appropriate. I favor community service. As I said, it works like a charm.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

Sr Tertius says on Apr 14, 2006, 22:53:

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

goosekirk says on Apr 14, 2006, 23:53:

Arguing on the internet is like... 'Could have been Elvis, also, but i would put my money on the opinion of the people there who have the responsibility for the investigation.'

And so would I, which is why I called FARC certainly the most likely culprit. Did you catch that part, where I wrote that?

But I haven't seen definitive proof that the FARC are responsible and nor has the FARC claimed responsibility. For all we know, it could be disgruntled ex-paracos wanting to put a little hurt on FARC, knowing they'd be assumed to be responsible. Seems far-fetched to me too, but are you telling me something like that is just as crazy as seeing Elvis? Need I remind you this is Colombia?

Tell me, does the government have any evidence whatsoever that someone from the FARC did this, or do they just assume? Because I think they just assume like the rest of us, and it sets off red flags for me when they say they know, but how could they? And it would be pretty stupid to just accept as gospel anything the government tells you. Of course the FARC are likely responsible, but I don't think anyone can say for certain yet, and I think that needs to be recognized.

In the US, we're careful to use words like 'alleged' and 'suspected' before something is proven. I notice they don't do that here. Something goes boom and ten minutes later they call it a FARC bomb, and as an American, without that 'alleged,' my tendency is to assume they must have proof. Surprise! They can just call it a FARC bomb, and we all go, OK, it's a FARC bomb. But you have to stop and ask, where's the evidence of responsibility, let alone the proof?

'if you can promote the concept that to kill a head of state like Uribe make sense, to kill/maim government members and civilians in social setting...'

So you're telling me that I'm promoting the concept that FARC members should come kill me with a hand grenade. Yeah, that makes sense.

This is clearly a case where you're reading something into what I wrote that is patently not there. I've re-read that section trying to figure out where I went wrong and if I should rewrite that to be more clear. I probably should expand on FARC tactics and rationale, but even as is, I think the point is abundantly clear. I don't see any need to dumb it down. If you don't get it, then I guess you're not my audience.

'Issues are readily identifiable, and the solution is obvious. Sort of like the concept that an executed murderer will not return to kill any one else? Kind of harsh words for the timid, and those who lack intestinal fortitude...'

Let me guess, the obvious solution is, kill all the FARC. And when you're done killing all the FARC, kill all the people in the group that takes the FARC's place. Good luck with that. You know who's been successful in recent history in quelling armed insurrection by force? Nobody. Hell, when Chechyna first got uppity, Stalin packed up the entire population into boxcars and moved them to Siberia, and later, when the population returned, Russia turned most of Chechnya into a giant smoking crater. Guess what, Russian airliners are still getting blown out of the sky and schoolkids are still getting massacred. You might have also heard something about some problems or other in places called Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. What is it about Colombia that will make the job of 'killing all the insurgents' so much more possible?

China and Iran have done bang-up jobs forcefully putting down unarmed resistance, if you'd care to follow their examples, but no one's succeeded in a purely military victory against insurgent forces in quite some time. Colombia's certainly been sucking ass at it for forty-some years. If you have some 'obvious solution,' I suggest you get on the horn with the Pentagon, pronto, because they don't believe it can work either, and it's not for lack of intestinal fortitude.

'...To be complacent and to acknowledge the hopelessness of life is not an acceptable option.'

Now here we agree. This is excellent rhetoric, and I support it. It is not, however, what you could call a recipe for change. And in fact, you're contradicting yourself... you tell me I have no right to 'complain' (what you call my writing) if I'm not doing something, then when I ask what I should do, you tell me I should write ('complain'). Okey-doke. I'll get right on that.

Anyway, rhetoric and two bits will still buy you a cup of tinto, but without even a vague course of action, it's just a circle jerk. With coffee. Which I'm down for, but let's not pretend it's something more grandiose than it is.

goosekirk says on Apr 15, 2006, 01:45:

Tertius Thanks for that. Good stuff.

I guess I assume the FARC are responsible because A) I don't hear anyone questioning it, and B) I'm still pretty pissed about the hand grenade thing. I'm like Yossarian, I take that personally. As far as I know, they caught the perpetrator and he was FARC. And C) I don't believe, in general, FARC leadership is all that concerned about civilian casualties. I think it's been demonstrated in the past that they're not above torching buses and killing civilians, so why not now?

The only reason I questioned it at all was because it just made absolutely no sense. Such an attack is nothing but counterproductive for the FARC. If they are that self-destructive, it's a wonder they've managed to stay alive for so long. Everyone I've asked here have simply said, yes, they are that stupid. Hm. Maybe so. But Reyes doesn't sound like an idiot in that interview. A little too pat, yes, but not like a total moron.

I still figure it could have been a little cell of anti-government college kids, or even a rogue FARC element that wasn't connected to the leadership. Who knows.

But my money's still on the FARC being stupid, just trying to show the people that Uribe's security policies haven't been so effective. I understand that if you flip that coin over, it's as Reyes is saying and it's the government trying to show that they need more security policy. Whichever is true, it's equally monstrous, and when it comes down to it, we'll never know the truth... which points me back down the 'fuck politics' road. It's entirely plausible that any of these explanations are true (and I bet the real truth is even weirder than we can imagine), and that sort of implicates all the various groups as being potential assassins. There's no good guys, just shades of bad, and you can shade those any way you feel like and probably be perfectly accurate, depending on what day of the week it is and which way the wind is blowing.

In fact, just thinking out loud here, it occurs to me that as successful as this conflict is for the US, the Colombian government and paras, and the FARC... it wouldn't be surprising if there was some collusion between the government and FARC...

Uribe's in his office on the red phone:

URIBE: Hey, Raul, election season's coming around and things have been awful quiet. Help a brother out? Nothing too big, you know, just a little somethin' somethin'...
REYES: I'll see what I can do. Say, you haven't noticed a container full of Israeli-made M-16s sitting around anywhere, have you?
URIBE: I'll see what I can do. Well, see you on the field of battle!
REYES: Ha ha!

They both light cigars with 50,000 peso notes...

Crazy? Maybe, but this isn't half as crazy as the things that went on between Russia and Chechnya, and there wasn't even billions of dollars at stake, and the players genuinely, passionately, religiously hated each other. This war has no reason to exist except for power and money, and all sides have a vested interest in keeping the gravy train rolling.

Did you know that as part of the hike to the Lost City, you can get an optional tour of a working cocaine lab? Um... that strike anyone else as a little odd? I think that's para territory, which means the army/government won't screw with them, and those people are probably getting their cut... and if Venezuela or the Pacific coast are the big exit points, that probably means at least working with the ELN or FARC to transport it. You've got people in the government taking drug money with one hand and counter-drug money with the other, and people from one faction shooting at the other one day and making a business deal the next, and then back to shooting. Who knows who talks to who.

Anyway... enough idle speculation.

Tertius, I'm extremely interested in what you said here... 'Volunteer a little time to work with communities in FARC territory'... I would very much like to know how to go about this. Care to elaborate?

Wastelandlive says on Apr 15, 2006, 13:56:

Jejejejejeje... Goosekirk You're going to ask Sr. T how "he" volunteered to do a little social work in FARC territory, and brought along his kids?

Excuse me, I need to pop some corn and get comfortable.

Wasteland

Sr Tertius says on Apr 15, 2006, 15:30:

More comments and volunteering experience "I guess I assume the FARC are responsible because A) I don't hear anyone questioning it"

Skepticism is not too popular lately.

"As far as I know, they caught the perpetrator and he was FARC."

Last I heard (http://eltiempo.terra.com.co/bogo/2006-04-08/ARTICULO-WEB-_NOTA_INTERIOR-2832378.html) the police was working on the HYPOTHESIS that these were FARC militia, and none had been caught. If I missed the latest news, please let me know. I'm reading the same thing in the latest reports from Caracol and RCN. Based on these, and the current credibility of public officials, I'd say "we don't know."

" C) I don't believe, in general, FARC leadership is all that concerned about civilian casualties. I think it's been demonstrated in the past that they're not above torching buses and killing civilians, so why not now?"

They certainly aren't. But they usually serve some military/sabotage purpose. "Collateral damage" if you will. When a horrific act stirs public opinion, police/military tend to be less careful in separating accusations from working hypotheses, knowing that even if they are proven wrong, something will stick in public opinion. Here in PBH we could still hear accusations against FARC about the collar-bomb hoax Reyes referred to. It works. That's why I'm skeptical.

Colombian journalists tend to use the "alleged" term just as much as in the US, I think. The verb is "presumir." Or they refer to police/military/fiscalia, or whoever, for direct accusations. It's public officials who have little reservations in making accusations when it is profitable in terms of opinion. What's going to happen to them anyway? Get sued by FARC?

"Such an attack is nothing but counterproductive for the FARC." Absolutely. But also remember that most militias and frentes are relatively independent, hence the probability of stupid actions is a factor of the number of frentes and militias (currently multiplying, BTW). This is no excuse, of course, but one has to separate mere stupidity from policy. Uribe certainly exploits that distinction for his benefit on a daily basis.

"There's no good guys, just shades of bad, and you can shade those any way you feel like and probably be perfectly accurate, depending on what day of the week it is and which way the wind is blowing."

I'm glad I'm not alone in the land of confusion. I like your hypothetical coversation between Reyes and Uribe. In few places but Colombia would such conversation be even imaginable. Wait... wasn't Bush a friend of the bin Ladens? Sorry, just digressing.

"You've got people in the government taking drug money with one hand and counter-drug money with the other, and people from one faction shooting at the other one day and making a business deal the next"

And mapping it all out, just to see it dissolve in a matter of months, is a full-time job.

The volunteering part:

I worked with Opción Colombia (http://www.opcioncolombia.org.co/) during the second semester of 1994 and part of 1995 in Cabrera, Southern Cundinamarca. As deep in FARC turf as it gets. Recent news reports suggest that it is now a desolate wasteland after the incursion of paras followed (conveniently) by the 13th brigade. Back then, you could enjoy a sunny evening in the central plaza, contemplating a Social Realist monument to a guerrilla legend named Juan de la Cruz Varela. The mayor was UP. Half of the town council was UP, half PCC. I worked in the evaluation of two irrigation projects in the area, alongside the community organizations that managed them. I wasn't technically volunteering, but was paid just minimum wage, which was enough to live well.

I think, among many other things, this kind of work with Opción Colombia helps making FARC obsolete. On the side of the town, it undermines FARC legitimacy when peple representing the central government (I was technically subcontracted to work for INAT) works WITH them, rather than FOR them (assistentialism is a disaster) or AGAINST them (as in bringing a military brigade and kick everyone out). On the side of the worker, it opens her eyes to the reality of rural Colombia. I spent my adolescence and early adulthood in Bogotá, and the distance that I perceived between the city and the outer rims of Colombian geography (much of which is only 5 hours by bus!) is just amazing. I re-read all that stuff about "political marginalization" and the early history of the PCC in rural Colombia. Whoa! To see it in front of you, to talk to a man who claimed was 102 years old (he did look that old, though) and was assigned to lead a force of a few dozen peasants against government forces back in the 50s, only because he had military training... the many stories, mostly too grandious to be completely true, but showing so much pride of their disdain for the central government; to see them yelling at military helicopters and mumble "...I wish I had a rifle..." TO ME! A GOVERNMENT SUBCONTRACTOR! I don't know... it's too difficult to articulate.

So, yes, get involved, Opción Colombia is one alternative. I'm sure there are many others.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

juancegomez says on Apr 15, 2006, 16:23:

Interesting.... A good discussion pops up and I missed (and apparently will continue to miss) most of it...ah well, can't have everything. I'll re-read most the thread later, but right now I just have the time for relatively general comments:

Sr Tertius, It's reasonable to be skeptical. Intellectually speaking, I have no complaints there.

But at the same time, the FARC are certainly just as capable of this too. In previous incidents against Transmilenio they were also involved (or sympathetic people that did the "mandado" for them, if you prefer), they've condemned Transmilenio as an "oligarchic monopoly", and talked about bringing the war to the cities (which they have mostly failed to do, but probably still desire). That makes it just as plausible as the "the government did it!" theory, if not more so.

The collar-bomb incident was quite different. It happened in a more positive context (the FARC was at least reasonably interested in slightly moderating bits of their behavior due to the Pastrana talks, even while they increasingly found new ways to kill and kidnap), and the government itself clarified that it wasn't the FARC within days. Only some specific officials initially claimed that it was the FARC, and not for long. Pretty soon it was made known that common criminals were apparently responsible. Some people might still not be aware of that and keep blaming the FARC, but the correction was publicly stated more than once. Not exactly a copy of the current case.

Now, the FARC utterly hate Uribe (not that there's anything wrong with that, on an individual level), and almost certainly (given their past record and some of their more recent announcements and non-ANNCOL interviews) want to make a bloody mess as the presidential elections come closer (rather worrying, at least as far as I'm concerned). They are definitely one of the probable suspects right now. Not necessarily the only possible perpetrators, strictly speaking, but close enough until evidence to the contrary comes up (if there's any at all, but we'll see...).

Could common criminals, random nutjobs, FARC dissidents or corrupt government agents be behind this? Intellectually speaking, yes. But personally, I'll prefer to wait and see. In the meanwhile...we must either make a blind guess or avoid taking a side.

And if it does come to making a blind guess...like I recently posted elsewhere about this same subject...if I am forced to take a final stand and accuse somebody right now, I would prefer to take the poison of believing the government and risk being wrong, than believing the FARC and risk being wrong. For one thing, the government has the eventual prospect of dealing with a small but existing degree of accountability, while the FARC has practically no equivalent, nada, zero. Some of you might disagree, that's perfectly valid, but that's what I think.

Does this mean that the government is "good" and the FARC are "bad", by default? Not at all. I would hope that at least a couple of you guys know me better than that. Yes, Colombia's situation is not a "black and white" affair, but instead has plenty of gray areas, as goosekirk and Sr Tertius have made known.

The government (and everyone else) has done many questionable, if not horrible even, things and that certainly has to be noted and exposed. So much so that, despite not having access to such an enriching experience as Opción Colombia appears to be, I can agree with Sr Tertius in the sense that community work can generally be a much better alternative than purely repressive military operations, especially when dealing with sectors of the population that have a justifiable degree of "disdain for the central government" to say the least.

Not to the point of having the military do no operations at all (that didn't exactly work out either), but of making them do better ones (morally and physically speaking), and certainly not using the military as practically the only visible representatives of the state in some remote areas. In a few words, the government has to show that it's not only bullets.

juanalejo says on Apr 17, 2006, 13:44:

Tinto "Some days I find myself hoping that a synthetic drug is invented to replace the demand for cocaine. The Andes, Central America and Mexico are going to be very violent and not very prosperous until that day comes."

This is the brightest commentary I have read in PBH.

platano says on Apr 17, 2006, 21:16:

Goosekirk, Sr. T. says: "And, yes, get involved, very involved, in whichever way you deem appropriate. I favor community service. As I said, it works like a charm."

Goosekirk, if you are a gringo I would have to disagree with the advice to "get involved". Rather I would second your comment, "fuck politics".

If you are Colombian, then I agree with Mr. T. 100%. Getting involved in that case is a good way to make the FARC obsolete.

I got involved in Medellín. What it got me was a bunch of friends, many of whose funerals I had to attend, and, eventually, my own kidnapping by the guerrillas. And being stupid Platano, I continued to engage in political discourse with the guerrillas and criticized them for their tactics (killing people) and for their sexism... and I succeeded in pissing them off. Not a smart move. So, if you are a gringo I suggest you do not get involved... there are too many ways you are going to piss off someone by being political (of any stripe).

plátano

goosekirk says on Apr 18, 2006, 15:59:

Good point Yeah, as a gringo, I do kind of feel like sticking to 'fuck politics' is the smartest course of action.

I'll have to add 'fuck football' too. I was just walking down the street with a Canadian guy who was wearing a football jersey for some Colombian team. Some drunk guy accosted him and started messing with him for it. In a friendly way, I mean, but still.