What do the FARC really want?

darkangel305 says on May 26, 2008, 21:54:

Money

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ice says on May 26, 2008, 21:57:

For what? Don't they live off in some jungle? i know this sounds very naive but I thought it was anti-Gov stuff like Che.

ice

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slguy says on May 26, 2008, 22:30:

now, i'm guessing they just want to stay alive. ;)

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on May 26, 2008, 22:37:

slguy's point is actually part of the reason they came into existence as well. Do some reading about the situation. Buy a book. Do not come here to find out anything definitive...you'll just get a lot of people from both extremes and a few rational points of view sprinkled throughout.

p.s. Che was not anti-government. I do not know if you realize it, but he was actually part of a government.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Buongone says on May 26, 2008, 22:52:

Google it. Go from there. A lot easier than asking people on PBH about it. Goe's back a long time. Like 40 yrs.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rocinante says on May 27, 2008, 05:11:

Ask Cassini

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.

webmanco says on May 27, 2008, 05:35:

They want about six more volunteers :-)

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rikito says on May 27, 2008, 06:43:

ice, most of the PBH responders in here are joking with you a little. The correct answer is all of the above plus a whole lot more. Buying a book might help as someone suggested, but it is probably out of date by now. The reasons for the organization of farc over 40 years ago no doubt differs greatly from what they believe now. In the beginning they wanted to overthrow the democratically elected government and install a socialistic one. I say 'democratically elected' with tongue in cheek because of all the crap that goes on behind the scenes is not part of the democratic system.

In 40 years, farc has changed dramatically from their original thesis…now they are more than likely a bunch of criminals trying to stay alive. In 40 years of insurrection farc has never accomplished one thing toward their goals of socialism (or whatever you want to call it). Of course there are some in here who believe the sun rises and falls with farc.

What do they want…who knows…I doubt if farc even knows at this point in the game. There are probably hundreds of reasons for what they want, but who knows exactly. However, the entire conflict is a study that cannot be adequately addressed in here. Like someone said we are, “a lot of people from both extremes and a few rational points of view sprinkled throughout.�

You can also go to the top of this page and do a search which will bring up all of the articles that PBHrs have written.

Check back in here from time to time over the next week. There are some PBHrs in here who are very knowledgeable about farc. But, I think at this point most people are just tired of hearing about them unless it is the death of another leader.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on May 27, 2008, 07:11:

Now, it boils down to just power and money - probably in that order. The (some) underlings probably still believe in a cause, and also a way to escape extreme poverty. But the group as a whole, and it's leaders, just want power and money any way they can get it. Violence, selling and moving drugs, extortion, and kidnappings being used as a way to achieve their goals.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bufalo says on May 27, 2008, 08:11:

There's also plenty of the rebels that have spent so much time rebelling, and many others born into it, that they really have no idea how to do anything else. It is the only world they know.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on May 27, 2008, 08:12:

It used to be Marulanda, now the guy to ask is Cano... everybody else it's just speculation (including FARC foot soldiers)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Simon says on May 27, 2008, 10:50:

The FARC want to take over Colombia and impose a Marxist Government, even if it means destroying most of Colombia to get there!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mononoke28 says on May 27, 2008, 11:17:

Colombia is a country that is divided by classes, mostly composed of the higher class and lower classes. The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. It all started with the FARC wanting equality among the people. Same vision Ché Guevara had, Castro and Chávez (according to him anyway). Unfortunately, they haven't had much success and in order to financially back up their cause they started dealing with the Colombian mafia, kidnappings and taking advantage and making deals with corrupt politicians.

Besides wanting a socialist government, they also want part of el Valle del Cauca to be just for them so they can live there in "peace". The fact of the matter is they want this territory to grow and process their own drug supply and ship it for financial gain since they'll have access to the Pacific Coast to export their "product". With this money they can buy more weapons, train new guerrilleros and get stronger. That's why Uribe doesn't want to give in and that's why they keep kidnapping politicians. The more "important" people they kidnap, the more pressure they put on Uribe.

That's how I would explain it to a five year-old. Pan pan, vino, vino.

Diana

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cali373 says on May 27, 2008, 11:21:

No wonder so many 5 years olds grow up to be misinformed.

I can sum it up even simpler:

The FARC's intention is un-democratic overthrow of the government of Colombia by military means.

Smile if you are a thinker!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mononoke28 says on May 27, 2008, 11:25:

cali373 says on May 27, 2008, 11:21: flag
The FARC's intention is un-democratic overthrow of the government of Colombia by military means.

With your statement the question would still remain "Why?"

Diana

0 funny, 0 helpful.

webmanco says on May 27, 2008, 11:25:

'Alfonso Cano', el antropólogo que reemplazará a Marulanda al frente de las Farc

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/the-red-dance/

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cali373 says on May 27, 2008, 11:36:

Yes the "why" is still there, but that was not the question, i believe it was only "What do the FARC really want?"

There have been several books written over the span of 40 years trying to explain the "why". How can anyone think they can answer the "why" in one post without leaving out crucial information, especially about Colombia's social situation.

Smile if you are a thinker!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Simon says on May 27, 2008, 11:37:

I know "why"...because they're evil!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on May 27, 2008, 11:40:

jajaja simon si me hace reir es mucho

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mononoke28 says on May 27, 2008, 11:43:

You simply don't get it and I'm not going to waste time on it. It's not a mistery, it's not the assassination of JFK.

Diana

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Simon says on May 27, 2008, 11:43:

Romy,

Más chistosos son los "nostálgicos del comunismo".

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mononoke28 says on May 27, 2008, 11:45:

Nostálgico del comunismo = Chávez. It doesn't get funnier than that.

Diana

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juancegomez says on May 27, 2008, 12:08:

"Power" is my one word answer to it.

Everything else revolves around power, one way or another.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on May 27, 2008, 12:22:

juancegomez- that's easy that's what all political movements want

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juancegomez says on May 27, 2008, 14:05:

Of course. I've never said anything to the contrary, but that also implies that I don't view them as a simplistic band of brigands who want money and self-gratification, albeit some individuals may have goals and desires well suited to that description.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on May 27, 2008, 16:29:

It's about power for the leadership and for the foot soldiers it's really about having a purpose, an opportunity, any opportunity, in life, not to mention those who are shanghied into it.

As far as ideology, I've talked with a fair number of former FARC and I'm WAY more of a commie than any of them. Most of them think Marx was a great comedian with brothers named Chico, Harpo, Gummo and Zeppo.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

romy says on May 27, 2008, 16:53:

"As far as ideology, I've talked with a fair number of former FARC and I'm WAY more of a commie than any of them. Most of them think Marx was a great comedian with brothers named Chico, Harpo, Gummo and Zeppo."
ideology isn't just about knowing who theorized it, more so this is almost irrelevant. Did these people speak of equality and/or social justice?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on May 27, 2008, 17:06:

No, Romy. My experience has been that their ideals were much less abstract, things like being hungry, or bored, or wanting to avenge the killing of someone they loved.

I'm not saying there aren't people in the FARC looking for social justice, but I'd be really surprised if it's a primary motive for most people joining.

Also, you have to bear in mind that anyone who has demobilized from the FARC is by then pretty darn disillusioned, so you wouldn't really expect them to be spouting quotes from "The Wretched of the Earth" and waxing eloquent about "the struggle".

0 funny, 0 helpful.

podborski says on May 27, 2008, 17:10:

they want to set up a dictatorship, absoute power centralized in the hands of a very few, and marxist ideology is a convenient platform to sell the idea to the poor and to 'intellectuals'.

Not too hard to look at any historical example of 'marxists' that get into power to see what happens.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ice says on May 27, 2008, 17:55:

Sorry guys. I didn't mean to kick a dead horse. It's just I don't have alot of time to go and really research the issue. I get about 2 hours on the web at night after work. You really anwsered my question and gave me the basic Idea. Thank you.
As Simon said in reality it comes down to the fact that men are evil no matter how you put. And in every country in the world men will continue to be evil. like why to Muslims hate Americans? There are many reasons at the same time there are no reasons.
Are some overly optimistic thinking the FARC will soon come to an end?

ice

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cali373 says on May 27, 2008, 19:44:

Wow Simon that was a really thought out response. You should try speech writing for Bush or writing arnold swarzenager movies. they love one liners.


Chavez is far from being a communist,well at least the way it was thought up by Marx. Most people in the west dont even know what communism actually is, they even still believe the soveit union was communist.

Chavez however seems to have his own version of socialism , I think he calls it 21st century. He would be doing anything without the fact that Venezuela is the fourth largest OPEC nation. He makes the mistake of most people on PBH and the president of my country the U.S. failure to open up any history books and actually read them.

Smile if you are a thinker!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cali373 says on May 27, 2008, 19:56:

You know Podborski, that is a true comment, however set up a dictatorship, absoute power centralized in the hands of a very few, seems to be the history of Latin American countries that were ruled by anti-communists and conservatives, which were supported by the Unites States. but those guys are ok, correct.

Smile if you are a thinker!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Simon says on May 27, 2008, 20:08:

"Wow Simon that was a really thought out response. You should try speech writing for Bush or writing arnold swarzenager movies. they love one liners."

What's the matter, Cali373, jealous because the OP liked my response better than yours? Excuse me for seeing things clearly.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ice says on May 27, 2008, 21:07:

Quote : " webmanco says on May 27, 2008, 08 They want about six more volunteers :-)"

Are you sure? You better not be getting my hopes up in vain. Do you know where I can find them? They always called me the white Che. lol

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on May 28, 2008, 04:38:

what happened 40 yrs ago, has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with their motives today. from my observations over the past 19 years, they want, what all corrupt/criminal personages want....a piece of the action.

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on May 28, 2008, 07:39:

¡COLOMBIA!

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mononoke28 says on May 28, 2008, 10:49:

ice says on May 27, 2008, 17:55: flag
Are some overly optimistic thinking the FARC will soon come to an end?

No. There's too much money involved and they have strong ties to the cartels. As long as there are drugs being produced that make millions of dollars every month, and as long as there are drug addicts in the world buying these drugs from them, then the answer is no, the FARC or any other guerrilla group will always exist in Colombia.

Diana

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bufalo says on May 29, 2008, 16:53:

The rich in Bogotá abused their power and treated the countrysiders like poop, the countrysiders took up arms (rebels) to defend themselves, they got dicky too (power can do that to ya), so then the paramilitaries formed to crush the rebels (using means the govt. can't openly do). All realized how lucrative drug-dealing and kidnapping is so they all lost their causes and are basically bad people.

"what happened 40 yrs ago, has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with their motives today" - there you go

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bufalo says on May 29, 2008, 16:55:

I don't think Che was really all that good. Think about it, he helped destroy a government, but didn't have the balls (nor the know-how) to stick around and start a new and better one. Castro wanted to do that (not that he did).

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on May 29, 2008, 18:18:

when the cia took out che in--i believe--bolivia, they cut off his had and sent it to castro to prove he was dead. castro didn't believe he was dead.....so they sent his head. his remains were just 're-united' in cuba about 5 years ago.

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on May 29, 2008, 20:06:

I don't doubt the story dwmte7, but I heard Che was killed by firing squad in Bolivia, and then promptly buried.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

OneHappyBoy says on May 29, 2008, 20:06:

sex drugs and rock and roll.... Wait a minute??? that was San Francisco in the 60's.... I think it was about poor peasants wanting 3 squares a day of digestable food, and a bit of equality in society, but like any noble cause, (food in their bellies, not FARC), gets screwed up. Give the noble cause a name, put a man in charge, and involve guns, you end up with 40 years of an insurgency with no direct...

I KNOW!! a bit simplistic, but it hey.. it was the best I could do with my limited history of Colombia.. (Seriously, I woulld love to know more history about Colombia, it is a country with quite colorful stories)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on May 29, 2008, 20:11:

I'm not denying people were and are dirt poor in Colombia. But to literally starve in a country like Colombia, would be quite a feat.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

OneHappyBoy says on May 29, 2008, 20:28:

si!! roberto! more damned fruit than anywhere I have seen!!! maybe they had dreams of frijoles and arroz? maybe a little carne?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ice says on May 29, 2008, 20:45:

This new president is really going after the FARC, which is what Colombia needs. But is doing any thing to help the poor? I know when I was recently in Nicaragua (once a comy country) The president was doing loads to really help the poor (or so it appeared)! I Uribe doing anything like this?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slguy says on May 29, 2008, 20:52:

you think driving the FARC back into the jungle doesn't help the FARC's prior victim's? ya think there aren't plenty of campesinos happy to see them go?

i'm not saying by any means that it's enough....but ya gotta start somewhere.

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on May 29, 2008, 21:00:

robert, he mighta been killed by snakes as far as i know. just a story i heard on national public radio NPR. but the story about his remains being reunited relatively recently was on the evening news some years...cbs?

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on May 29, 2008, 21:06:

Like I said - I believe the story. I'll check it out ... I am always curious about trivia like that.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Alma del Norte says on May 29, 2008, 21:11:

My understanding is that the commandante was executed by a CIA operative in a hut where he was being held prisoner. Initially he was shot in the lower torso and legs to make it look less like a summary execution. He was taking too long to die, so he was finished off with more shots to the chest.

La vida es una rutina

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on May 29, 2008, 21:12:

el commandante', eh?

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Alma del Norte says on May 29, 2008, 21:17:

si - twas his rank, no?

Oh, don't let's get all political Dwmte. Honest, I is not a Commie!

La vida es una rutina

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on May 30, 2008, 06:23:

playin, alma...just playin.

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on May 30, 2008, 11:34:

Besides, everyone knows Fidel is the Comandante, and Che was just the wingman.

0 funny, 0 helpful.