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Wide Open

Well folks. I must tell you that I do love Colombia. However, my eyes have been opened to the real Colombia. My girlfriend is from a city on the Caribe Coast. She comes from money, somthing I didn't know. Her family own a Banana Plantation. Her family have a huge house etc. Something that she doesn't flaunt. Yesterday, she called me at the school to tell me that her father had been kidnapped probably by the Paramilitaries.

She was hysterical. She is flying to the coast today to be with her family. The kidnappers have not yet made contact. So it is a waiting game. I don't know what to do except to tell her that I love her and will be with her no matter what. My whole perception of Colombia has changed.

I understand what these people have been living with. This can happen to anyone, at anytime. It could even happen to me because I ive in a very rich area and I am a foreigner. Who knows? This explains a lot about the way people act on the street. No one trust each other except in personal relationships. On the street you don't know who could be F.A.RC or who could be E.L.N. I am no longer looking through rose coloured windows.

What is happening is that the Paramilitaries extort money from the Banana farmers to protect them from The F.A.R.C. However the Paramilitaries need money to fight the Guerrilas, so they kidnap people for many years until the family pays for their release. It is a catch 22 situation.

If you do decide to come to Colombia, be aware that it is a dangerous country and these type of things happen. It has been increasing. Be aware tht if you do come to Colombia and you are a little older and have some money you are a target. It's no joke. Please do not build an illusion that everything is puppies and ice cream.

I will tell you what is happening later.

By Skippy on Sep 8, 2004, 07:47 in Friendly Talkzone.

utopiacowboy says on Sep 8, 2004, 08:19:

Sorry to hear about your girlfriend's father. I hope everything turns out ok. My wife's father was killed by members of Pablo Escobar's gang in 1985 so I am not under any illusions about Colombia. On the other hand, there are many different facets of the "real" Colombia and this is just one of them. What part of the coast did this occur?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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sebasenbogotá says on Sep 8, 2004, 08:27:

Sorry about it Well first, I want to say I am really sorry about what happened to your girlfriend´s father, its something horrible that many Colombian families have had to suffer.

But you said "these type of things happen. It has been increasing" well they do happen, but they have been decreasing in the last 2 years, I don´t have the last figures but it doesn´t happen as often as it used to.

Well the point anyways is that it shouldn´t happen at all. Just wanted to make an aclaration.

Suerte !

Sebas

Suerte ! Sebas

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litost says on Sep 8, 2004, 10:55:

I agree with Sebas, although I think it's perfectly fine for shane to open everyone's eyes as to potential dangers in Colombia, it is totally false to say "it has been increasing".

Besides, bear in mind that the man that was kidnapped was a rich person with business in an ustable part of the country (I'm guessing it happened around the Uraba region where most banana activity is). To tell the truth, we really don't even know for sure what business or matters he may have been involved with.

Anyways, I hope everything works out for the best.

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Miguel says on Sep 8, 2004, 10:58:

Ante Todo... Sorry to hear that the harsh reality of what is happening world wide has become your personal reality. I think you going down there to be with her is what I would do, but not without considering that my ass might be on the line as a result. Other responses in this thread are very true in respect to the fact that the kidnapping rate has fallen dramatically in Colombia over the last two years, but that is little comfort to you right now. I will send a prayer your way. I was in Colombia in June and felt completely safe, but I also stayed street wise. Then again, I don't own a banana farm and have the obvious wealth you refer to in your message. Keep us updated. I know la gente aqui en Colombia Guide wish you the best. I have a more positive outlook on Colombia and it's future, but will save my thoughts on a brighter day. I do have a question about where this took place, although I am sure I will read about it tonight in El Heraldo or El Tiempo. The woman I love lives in Barranquilla and I will be there in a few weeks...Buena suerte, amigo.

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Hunter says on Sep 8, 2004, 12:43:

Shane Also sorry to hear about your girlfriends situation.

Unfortunatly kidnappings still happen in Colombia, although official kidnappings are down by a third in two years.

Nearly every kidnapping I hear about happenns in rural areas, mostly at farms or on rural highways.

I will wait for more information, when you are ready to post it.

Hunter

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 8, 2004, 13:01:

My thoughts are with you Hey Shane, I have a friend here whose father was kidnapped by the AUC about 2 years ago after he refused their efforts at extortion (he, too, was a successful businessman). He had the good fortune to be rescued by the Gaula after about 3 months but it was really hard on the family, in fact it still is. You're doing the right thing by supporting your girlfriend anyway you can through this. Be really careful of your own safety and emotional well-being, too.

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Skippy says on Sep 8, 2004, 16:21:

Decreasing Kidnappings ????? I know that kidnappings have decreased in the last year however, this past weekend there were 4 kidnappings from farms all at once. This happened only thirty minutes from Medellin.

Who knows what the future holds? One kidnapping is one too many though. I believe it can happen to anyone. My students told me that foreigners could be taken if need be. I am keeping a sharp eye out.

By the way I am in Medellin right now.

Yup

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 8, 2004, 16:37:

Of course there are kidnappings. In the past year or so, four different people who live in my wife's building were kidnapped, usually after driving alone in rural areas outside Medellin. We ourselves might have been victims last year. After dropping my sister off at the bus terminal late one night, we got in a cab and the cab driver, instead of driving us to our destination, got out and started talking to someone on a cell phone. My wife nudged me and told me to get out of the cab. We got in another cab and the driver took us home. Who knows what the first driver was up to but better safe than sorry.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Santiabogota says on Sep 8, 2004, 23:52:

I'm sorry to hear about the kidnapping I just joined this forum to maybe get in contact with some Colombians living in the US. I am dissapointed to read this as my first forum. It is very sad that this happens in our BEAUTIFUL Country but all I know is that it is getting better with Uribe in the precidency. Nevertheless it is a horrible situation to be going through, I wish you the best of luck and my prayers are with you.
Despite all the violence and the not so good things about Colombia, I love my country and I will die to be a proud Colombiano!!!!

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justmarcela says on Sep 9, 2004, 00:24:

to shane Shane, being with her it is one of the most important things. Nothing you tell her will make her feel better, but make sure she knows you are there for her and her family. Make sure you go to Pais Libre http://www.paislibre.org:8080/home.htm they will give you advice on how to deal with this kind of situation. Also you can contact different radio stations (like caracol) where she can call and record a messages for her father (used to be late at night on Saturdays, but that might has changed)... you won't know if he listen to them but at least it is a way your GF will feel a bit more "in touch" with her dad. No matter what, the calls they might make, the info you can get from them, keep her spirit up. I know what she is going through... my best wishes for her and her family.

Pls, keep us updated. Mucha paciencia y fe...

chau pescau
ö

chau pescau >ö<

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Miguel says on Sep 9, 2004, 09:56:

Bueno...¿Que pasa ahora? Me gustaria saber si hay mas noticias sobre el problema en el hilo...especialmente a donde que paso...ciudad? Diganos, cuando tiene tiempo.

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Miguel says on Sep 10, 2004, 17:23:

??? Mas noticias, por favor...especialamente la ciudad...

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Miguel says on Sep 12, 2004, 17:52:

Hmm Is there any more news on this situation? I searched the newspapers in Colombia and listened to Caracol Colombia, but have not read or heard anything about it. QUE PASO???

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