Sunday, June 22, 2008

FARC'd

The FARC has released a video to show that one of the politicians they kidnapped is still alive and to repeat demands of a safe haven and a prisoner exchange. What struck me is that the situation has changed so drastically, yet the FARC sticks stubbornly to its tried-and-true tactics. Uribe has said he won't negotiate, and with recent military victories very likely won't except for some exceptional circumstance. But further, Hugo Chávez has also told the FARC that its tactics are actually beneficial to the United States government, so they should lay down their arms and participate in the political system.

In short, it's very hard to see this video as accomplishing anything except to confirm the FARC's image as a band of thugs.

6 comments:

Steven Taylor 2:30 PM  

After the debacle that was "Farclandia" during the Pastana administration, there is simply no way that the Colombian government (most especially under Uribe) is going to agree to another demilitarized zone. That the FARC keeps pushing for it despite their recent (and dramatic) setbacks underscores that either a) they are totally divorced from reality or b) don't have any intentions whatsoever of negotiating (or, of course, a bit of both).

Anonymous,  3:37 PM  

Beligerant criminals they're

Anonymous,  5:44 PM  

What is interesting about this is what it may say about who's actually in power with the FARC after the death of Marulanda.

Boli-Nica 6:37 PM  

This could be Cano's "coming out" statement. He lays down the law, no variation from Tirofijo's strategy. Reassures mid level commanders and lower level cadres, gives them a sense of continuity. Sign of strength.

Greg Weeks 7:27 AM  

Any of these hypotheses is plausible. I guess we have to wait and see.

Boli-Nica 8:12 AM  

thing with the FARC is that part of their lore is them with their backs against the wall, mounting a fighting comeback.

  © Blogger templates The Professional Template by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP