May 28, 2002 In Colombia, 'herculean' tasks (new elections are groundbreaking)

Wash Times ^ | May 28th, 2002 | jared kotler

[wardaddy]

BOGOTA, Colombia

[wardaddy]

This election is unique because it is the first time that the Liberal and Conservative parties have lost the power of the Colombian presidency since the great civil troubles of the 1950s to early 1960s led to a revolving Presidential power sharing between those 2 parties. It is fair enough proof to me that the Colombian electorate is tired of the Marxist rebels and wants them eradicated.

I first saw this on BBC last night where the BBC was making a big deal about how the new president would have to reel in the rightist paramilitaries as well like they were just as big a problem as the leftist insurgents. Horsehockey! The paras exist mainly to provide an insurgency free zone for the ranchers who have the means to defend themselves...particularly in the Upper Magdalena and Cauca valleys.

[Free the USA]

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[guitfiddlist]

It is only in the minds of a pin-headed socialist NGO type (read Lori Berenson) - that the paramilitaries are equated with the FARC and FALN. The latter are truly nothing but land pirates that kidnap, murder and destroy for profit. They have no sympathy from the local populace, not the man on the street, nor the typical man in the field. They've cornered the drug market and use that money to finance more mayhem. They don't build, improve or provide anything to improve the lives of Colombians, rich or poor.

The paramilitaries, on the other hand, are directly in the employ of wealthy landowners and ranchers that are fed up with the inability of the Colombian government (which spends a ridiculously low percent of GNP on the military) to at least keep the FARC at bay. And they are very effective. If you travel to Colombia - you have no worries if you travel in paramilitary country. But you're an idiot if you go into FARC country.

[Wolfie]

Narco Candidate in Colombia

[wardaddy]

Interesting but it is from Bat-Boy. I'm sure like any other candidate in Colombia that Uribe has some ties in some way to traffickers ....how much of a tie is speculation. The Trafickers tend to be much more low key than in Pablo's day.

[Wolfie]

Actually, its from Al Giordano's NarcoNews.Com. As far as ties to traffickers, I would think even a little would be a bad thing, but heck, its not like we're sending billions of tax dollars down there, or anything.

[wardaddy]

I have spent a great deal of time there. It's a complicated country to say the least. There is no law and order as we know it. The thing about this news that struck me was the populace's mandate that the insurgents be crushed. It's about time.

[Wolfie]

From AP:

A day after his landslide election on a law-and-order platform, Uribe said Monday that the drug war is "essential" because Colombia's leftist rebels and their rivals, the right-wing paramilitaries, finance their fight with the proceeds from drug trafficking.

[xsmommy]

i spent time in Colombia back in college. the situation there is heartbreaking. i am still in touch with a friend there and he agonizes over whether to emigrate, for his children's sake. His brother in law was murdered by the narcotraficantes. it saddens me beyond belief to think that i can't go back to Colombia.

[wardaddy]

The right wing paramilitaries exist because of the Marxists not vice versa.....folks who live in para areas have nothing to fear if they don't collaborate with the commies. Do you have an issue with rightists who take up guns to defend themselves?

Is you username from the Miami Beach deli??...

[Wolfie]

I have no issue with either side. Just pointing out that the paramilitaries are knee-deep in the cocaine trade as well.

[wardaddy]

Well I have a huge issue with the Marxist side. I'll take Rightists "knee deep in cocaina" over Commies knee deep in the stuff any day. Nearly everybody in Colombia either benefits from or is affected in some way by the drug trade either directly or otherwise. I used to deal at the emerald mine Muzo with a Padron who's now big in the Paramilitary leadership in the Upper Magdalena Valley. His name is Victor Caranza and his brother was killed 15 years ago by Gonzalo Gacha ("the mexican") of Medellin Cartel fame. Colombia is one huge grey blot. I can only pick out the leftist terrs easily.