gatogris has written 9 posts

Come see Piedad Cordoba speak tomorrow

Come see the Pericles of Colombia, Senator of the Republic Piedad Esneda Córdoba Ruíz hold forth on matters all and sundry (but in particular tell the TRUTH about Grand Vizier Uribe's neo-fascistic conspiracy with Premier Bush to dominate the continent) in Barranquilla tomorrow, Saturday, May 24, 2008 from 9:30 - 12:30 at the UNIVERSIDAD DEL ATLANTICO sede norte. The pellucid elucidation of this paragon of states(wo)manship will blow your mind until it is running out your ears, as she lift ...

How many times have Venezuela and Colombia been in a tiff over the last three years?

Has anyone kept count? How many diplomatic squabbles have there been over the last little while? I remember something about a coca plantation on the border that neither country wanted to claim, and some diplomats being shuttled home. Then the FARC kidnapping negotiations got them both a little huffy this fall. Any more schoolyard shoving matches recently? ...

Heading to Caqueta, any word?

I am flying into Florencia and then driving out to a town called Belen de las Andaquies. My understanding is that the road South of Florencia is safe, but that North, towards Caguan, there has been some FARC presence. Anyone been that way recently? Also, what's Belen de las Antaquies like? I saw from the map that its in the foothills and next to a national park. Is it hip or what? ...

What will become of Colombia in 10 years (and therefore, us)?

Taking this site as a source, it would seem that Colombia is changing. And fast. If this country experiences a precipitous rise in tourism, what will happen over the next 10 years? I forsee three scenarios. 1) The Thailand. This country proves too strong a pull for the lowest common denominator, pedophiles and preverts, lonely, depraved little grey creeps migrate from cupicles in the exurbs of the West to prey on pubescent girls and annihilate their sense of self-loathing with drugs and booze ...

FARC website hosts

Does anyone have any information regarding how the (fancy) FARC website is hosted? I know from the domain name info commonly available that their current website is hosted from Switzerland, and their website was also designed by a Swiss firm. I also know their website, when it was more primative, was hosted for a couple of years by the communications department at UC San Diego. How does this websiting hosting work? Why Switzerland? Could the hosts be prosecuted under international law? ...

Nuevo farclandia?

It looks like even Uribe agrees with me - the FARC have to be given a guaranteed safety zone in which to negotiate or they won't negotiate at all. But the question is, are we going to see the same devolution as took place in the previous 'zona de despeje' (literally, "cleared zone"), with the FARC running it like a damn mafiosa fiefdom, or will Uribe III keep a lid on things? I guess what it boils down to is this: is this a good call? http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/2007-12-08/ARTICULO-WEB-N ...

Destination Choco

I'm heading to the Choco soon and I heard it was possible to get a boat there from Buenaventura. It sounds like it might be interesting, has anybody done this? Also, any recent information at all would be helpful. ...

Piedad Cordoba, The Negotiator

Did Piedad Cordoba really shit the bed by appearing in photos with the FARC wearing a beret and carrying a bouquet? I think Uribe is to blame for his sensitivity to being insulted, and for not truly supporting the negotiating effort when he had the chance. Its no wonder Betancourt's letter raves about how attached to France she is but doesn't mention much feeling for Colombia. The egos keep getting in the way of progress. see http://americas.irc-online.org/am/4791 ...

old Italian dude in Bogota

Does anyone know if the old Italian guy who seemed like he was dying of silicosis or emphysema or just a lifetime of hard livin is still renting apartments on Cl 12 con Kr 2? It is a white stucco building with a green metal door which visitors had to buzz their way in, and it has a large courtyard with about 5 or 6 little two story apartments. His maid used to refer to him as "Doctor" but maybe that was just because he looked distinguished and limped about in an effete, British manner. I'm co ...

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