Peace Deal Signed Between Colombian Government And FARC Rebels Ending 52 Years Of War

VICE News: Colombia's 50-year war ends with historic ceasefire between rebels and government

Colombia's president and the leader of its biggest rebel group have sealed a "definitive ceasefire" after 52 years of war.

President Juan Manuel Santos and Rodrigo Londoño, of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, signed the historic agreement at a solemn ceremony this Thursday in Havana, Cuba.

The accord — that comes after three years of talks, the last stages of which have been based in Cuba — paves the way for a final peace deal to end a conflict born in the 1960s.

The FARC was just one of many Latin American guerrilla movements inspired by Marxist ideology that formed in the wake of Cuba's revolution in 1959. But as the decades passed, what had begun as a peasant revolt against deep injustices and acute poverty transformed into a cocaine-fueled war that also involved state-backed paramilitaries.

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More News On The Peace Deal Signed Between Colombian Government And FARC Rebels Ending 52 Years Of War

Colombia's FARC rebels sign historic ceasefire with government -- Reuters
Colombian president, head of FARC rebels agree on cease-fire. -- AP
Colombia and Farc rebels sign historic ceasefire deal to end 50-year conflict -- The Guardian
Colombia’s FARC Rebels Sign Cease-Fire Deal Ahead of Disarmament -- Bloomberg
FARC Rebels, Colombian Government Sign Cease-Fire Deal -- NPR
Colombia’s FARC rebels sign bilateral ceasefire, agree to demobilize within a week -- Colombia Reports
Colombia on the brink of peace: Why is it such a hard sell to citizens? -- Sibylla Brodzinsky, CSM
3 things you should know about the new Colombia peace agreement with its rebels -- Washington Post
Who are the Farc? -- BBC
Colombia's Farc rebels - 50 years of conflict -- BBC

Colombia Has Suspended Bombing Raids Against FARC Rebels

Reuters: Colombia's Santos orders halt to air raids on FARC rebels

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos ordered a halt to air raids against FARC rebel camps as the government seeks to cool hostilities with the Marxist group while the two sides hammer out a peace accord to end five decades of war.

Santos's decision on Saturday came just days after a unilateral ceasefire by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) went into effect, providing a breakthrough in talks threatened by a recent escalation of battlefield violence.

"This will mean fewer deaths, less suffering and fewer victims," Santos said in the coastal city of Cartagena.

"From today, any bombing raids will only be conducted with the explicit order of the president," he said.

More News On Colombia Suspending Bombing Raids Against FARC Rebels

Colombia Suspends Raids on FARC Camps Following Rebel Truce -- AP
Colombia suspends bombing raids on FARC -- AFP
Colombia suspends air strikes against Farc camps -- BBC
Colombia halts air strikes on Farc camps after rebels declare ceasefire -- The Guardian
Colombia Orders Halt to Air Strikes on FARC -- VOA
Colombia to ease bombing raids against Farc rebels -- Financial Times
Colombia president orders end to bombing raids on FARC rebels -- Deutsche Welle

Colombia's Truce Has Just Collapsed

The Guardian: Farc ends ceasefire after air raid kills 26 leftist rebels in Colombia attack

Rebel leaders say they will continue peace talks to end 50-year conflict despite government-ordered retaliatory raids on guerrilla camps

Colombia’s largest rebel group has ended a unilateral ceasefire after 26 guerrillas were killed in a government air raid, but the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, said they would continue peace talks aimed at ending the country’s 50-year internal conflict.

“We deplore the joint attack of the air force, the army and the police ...against a camp of the 29 Front of the Farc,” a rebel communiqué said.

“It was not in our plans to suspend the unilateral and indefinite ceasefire...but the incoherence of the Santos government has achieved that,” the Farc said, blaming continued offensives on their fighters for the end to the ceasefire.

More News On The Colombia Truce Collapse

Colombia Rebels Cancel Unilateral Cease-Fire After Army Raid -- NYT/AP
Colombia's FARC rebels suspend unilateral ceasefire over air strike -- AFP
Colombia’s FARC rebels suspend unilateral ceasefire -- Euronews/Reuters
Farc suspends truce after Colombia army attack -- BBC
FARC Suspends Cease-Fire With Colombia After Bombing Raid -- WSJ
Colombia Rebels End Cease-Fire After 26 Die in Bombing Raid -- Bloomberg
Colombia's FARC rebels suspend ceasefire after government ambush -- Deutsche Welle
Colombia's FARC rebels suspend unilateral cease-fire with government -- Al Jazeera
Colombian rebels suspend ceasefire after army kills 26 -- Business Standard
Colombia’s FARC Guerrilla Suspends Unilateral Ceasefire After 26 Killed in Military Airstrike -- VICE News

Colombia Resumes Air Raids On FARC Rebel Positions

Al Jazeera: Colombia to resume bombing of FARC targets

Ten soldiers killed by rebels in early morning ambush described by President Santos as a "rupture" of FARC's ceasefire.

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos has ordered the resumption of bombing raids against FARC rebels after an attack he blamed on the group killed 10 soldiers, a move that will intensify combat after efforts to ease tensions.

As part of peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Santos last month stopped air raids on rebel hideouts in recognition of a unilateral ceasefire declared in December by the group.

More News On Colombia Resuming Air Raids On FARC Rebel Positions

Colombia Resumes Air Raids on Rebels After 11 Troops Killed -- ABC News/AP
Colombia lifts bombing truce after Farc attack in Cauca -- BBC
Colombia lifts bombing truce after deadly FARC ambush -- Euronews
Colombia renews bombing raids on FARC after rebels kill 10 soldiers -- CNN
Colombia to resume bombing rebels after deadly ambush -- Reuters
Killing of 10 Soldiers Deals a Setback to Colombian Peace Talks with FARC Rebels -- NYT
Attack Roils Colombian Peace Talks -- WSJ
Deadly rebel assault puts Colombia peace talks in jeopardy -- France 24

FARC Threatens To End Its Ceasefire In Colombia

VOA/Reuters: FARC Threatens to End Its Truce in Colombia

HAVANA - Colombia's Marxist-led FARC guerrillas threatened Thursday to end a unilateral truce that has been in place since December unless the government of President Juan Manuel Santos called off military attacks on rebel positions.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia called its truce at Christmastime, and Santos responded March 10 by announcing Colombia's armed forces would halt aerial bombing raids for one month, saying the reprieve could be extended if the FARC continued its cease-fire.

Update #1: FARC call on Colombian leader to save ceasefire -- AFP
Update #2: Colombia's FARC says cease-fire in jeopardy -- EFE
Update #3: FARC Threaten to End Ceasefire in Colombia -- Panam Post

WNU Editor: I am surprised that the truce has lasted this long.

Progress In Talks Between Colombia And FARC Rebels

High-ranking Colombian military officers joined Colombian peace talks for the first time on Thursday, sitting across the table from rebel commanders they had opposed on the battlefield and trying to negotiate a ceasefire. Credit: Reuters/Presidency-Peace Office/Handout via Reuters

VOA: Colombia, FARC Reach Deal on Clearing Land Mines

Colombia and Marxist FARC rebels reached a deal Saturday to clear the country of land mines as part of ongoing peace talks.

Both sides said they would ask a group called Norwegian People's Aid to coordinate the operation.

Humberto de la Calle, a former Colombian vice president and the government's lead negotiator, said Saturday, "Our main objective in these conversations is to put an end to the conflict and avoid future victims in our country. And that's why the demining proposal is a first but giant step toward peace."

More News On This Weeks Colombian Government - FARC Agreement To Clear Landmines

Colombia, FARC rebels agree to remove landmines -- Reuters
FARC rebels agree to help Colombian army clear minefields -- UPI
Colombia landmines: Farc to help army clear minefields -- BBC
Colombia, leftist FARC in 'giant' step toward peace -- AFP
Colombian gov't and guerrillas reach agreement on landmine removal -- EFE
Colombia government and Farc rebels agree to remove landmines -- The Guardian
Colombia and FARC rebels reach deal to clear landmines -- Al Jazeera
Bogota and FARC agree on landmine removal -- Deutsche Welle
Colombia, FARC rebels agree to remove landmines from battlefields -- Sydney Morning Herald

Colombia's FARC Rebels Have Declared A Unilateral Ceasefire For An Indefinite Period

Colombia Farc Rebels Declare Indefinite Unilateral Truce -- BBC

Colombia's Farc rebels have declared a unilateral ceasefire for an indefinite period, starting from Saturday.

The leftist rebels said the truce should become a formal armistice and would only end if they were attacked.

The announcement was made in Cuba, where the Farc has been holding peace talks with the Colombian government.

President Juan Manuel Santos has so far refused to suspend military action, saying the rebels would use a bilateral truce to rearm and regroup.

The peace talks in Cuba - which began in 2012 - are aimed at ending five decades of conflict that has killed an estimated 220,000 people.

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More News On Colombia's FARC Rebels Declaring A Unilateral Ceasefire

Colombia's FARC rebels call conditional unlimited ceasefire -- Reuters
Colombia's FARC rebels call conditional unlimited ceasefire -- France 24
Farc declares ceasefire but warns of retribution if attacked -- The Guardian
Colombia's FARC rebels announce unilateral cease-fire in Havana -- FOX News
FARC declares unilateral open-ended cease-fire in Colombia -- FOX News/EFE
Colombia's FARC Rebels Declare Conditional Unlimited Ceasefire -- VOA
Colombia's FARC rebels announce unilateral ceasefire -- Deutsche Welle
Colombian Rebels Call Unilateral Truce -- NYT
Colombia's FARC rebels call indefinite truce -- Al Jazeera
Colombia's Farc rebels declare unilateral ceasefire -- The Telegraph
FARC Guerrillas Just Announced a Ceasefire with Colombia's Government After 50 Years of Civil War -- VICE

My Comment: You have to wonder if there is a linkage .... Did The U.S.-Cuba Deal Help Drive A Rebel Ceasefire in Colombia? (Richard McColl, Daily Beast).

FARC Rebels Agree To Release Kidnapped Colombian Army General

Colombia Kidnap: Farc Agrees Conditions For Release -- BBC

Colombia's Farc rebels have reached an agreement with the government over the conditions necessary for releasing an army general and four others.

Announcing the agreement in Havana, Cuban and Norwegian officials acting as mediators said the hostages would be released as soon as possible.

However, the details of the agreement were not released.

Peace talks between the two sides were suspended after the men were captured by the left-wing rebels at the weekend.

Ruben Dario Alzate is the first Colombian general to be abducted in 50 years of conflict.

The rebels said they seized the men because they were unhappy at the continuation of Colombian military activities during peace talks.

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Update #1: Colombia, Rebels Agree on Steps to Free General -- ABC/AP
Update #2: FARC agree to release captured general -- Al Jazeera

My Comment: These talks have been ongoing for almost two years now .... and they are no closer to ending the conflict that has gripped Colombia for decades.

FARC Confirms Capture Of Colombia General. Peace Talks In Danger Of Collapsing

Colombian Leftist Rebels Acknowledge Capture Of Army General -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Colombia's FARC rebels confirmed on Tuesday they are holding a Colombian army General Ruben Dario Alzate and two others, whose capture on Sunday led the government to suspend two-year-old peace talks taking place in Havana.

"The three were captured by our units because it involves enemy military personnel, who were carrying out their duties in a war zone," the statement said.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos suspended the Havana peace talks on Sunday after he said the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) abducted General Ruben Dario Alzate, another military officer and a civilian in the rural department of Choco.

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More News On FARC Confirming The Capture Of Colombia General. Peace Talks In Danger Of Collapsing

Colombian Rebels Acknowledge Capture of General -- AP
FARC confirms it is holding kidnapped Colombia general -- AFP
Colombia's FARC confirms they're holding general -- FOX News/EFE
FARC confirms it is holding kidnapped general -- Deutsche Welle
FARC confirms capture of Colombian general -- Al Jazeera
Colombia: Farc Guerrillas Admit to Kidnapping Army General Ruben Dario Alzate -- IBTimes
Colombian president halts rebel peace talks, demands release of abductees -- EFE
Fate of peace talks in FARC hands - Colombian president -- AFP
Colombia’s FARC guerrillas suggest kidnapped general may not see speedy release -- Miami Herald
Colombia’s FARC say hope suspended peace talks can resume -- Euronews/Reuters
Factbox: Colombia's peace process with Marxist FARC rebels -- Reuters

Colombia - FARC Peace Talks Suspended After General Is Kidnapped

Colombian President Halts Farc Talks After General Kidnapped -- The Guardian

Efforts to end 50 years of war in crisis after Ruben Dario Alzate captured along with military official and lawyer.

The Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos, has suspended peace talks with Marxist Farc rebels following the kidnapping of an army general, throwing into crisis the nation’s efforts to end 50 years of war.

General Ruben Dario Alzate, who heads the Titan task force in the Pacific department of Choco, was captured on Sunday afternoon by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), along with another military official and a civilian.

“Tomorrow negotiators were to travel to another round of talks in Havana,” Santos said early on Monday. “I will tell them not to go and that the talks are suspended until these people are released.”

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More News On Colombia - FARC Peace Talks Suspended After General Is Kidnapped

Colombia suspends Farc peace talks over kidnapping -- BBC
Colombia Suspends Peace Talks With Rebels After General’s Capture -- WSJ
Colombia Suspends Peace Talks After FARC Kidnaps Army General -- VOA
Colombian general kidnapped, rebels suspected -- AP
Colombia, FARC Peace Talks Suspended After General Ruben Dario Alzate Kidnapped By Rebels: Officials -- IBTimes
Colombia suspends peace talks with guerrillas after kidnapping -- Miami Herald
Kidnap halts Colombia peace talks -- Independent.ie
FARC peace talks suspended after Colombian general's kidnapping -- Deutsche Welle
Colombia Suspends Peace Talks Over General’s Apparent Kidnapping -- Latin American News Dispatch
Colombia suspends peace talks with FARC after army general is kidnapped by rebel group -- FOX News

Colombia Claims That FARC Rebels Were Planning To Assassinate Former President Alvaro Uribe

Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe arrives at the 10th Mexico Business Summit in Queretaro November 11, 2012. The summit will be held until November 13. Credit: Reuters/Demian Chavez

Attempt On Uribe's Life Would Destroy Colombia Peace Process, Negotiator Says -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Colombia's lead representative in peace talks with Marxist FARC rebels said on Wednesday that any attack against former President Alvaro Uribe would destroy the negotiations.

Humberto de la Calle said talks ongoing in Cuba would be "unviable" and could be "destroyed" if suspected plans by the FARC to assassinate Uribe and Attorney General Eduardo Montealegre were put into practice.

He was responding to a comment by Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon, who said on Tuesday that one of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia's elite fighting units was planning a hit on the hard-line ex-president, who with the help of the United States stepped up attacks on the rebels during his eight years in office that ended in 2010.

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More News On Colombian Claims That FARC Rebels Were Planning To Assassinate Former President Alvaro Uribe

Uribe plot would 'destroy' peace talks: Colombia gov't -- Global Post/AFP
Colombian govt: FARC branch plotting assassination attempt against ex-president amid peace talks -- NBC Latino
Colombia Claims FARC Rebels Planned To Kill Former President Uribe -- FOX News/EFE
Colombia uncovers Farc plot to kill ex-president Uribe -- BBC
Colombia announces alleged rebel plot to kill Uribe -- Washington Post/AP
Colombia uncovers FARC rebel unit plot to assassinate Uribe -- Buenos Aires Herald
Colombia boosts security after FARC plot to kill Uribe -- Global Post/AFP

Colombia - FARC Reach A 'Partial' Peace Agreement

Colombia, FARC Agree On Rebels' Future If Peace Signed -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Colombia's government and Marxist FARC rebels reached a "fundamental agreement" on the guerrillas' future in politics, one of the thorniest issues addressed in peace talks in Cuba, according to a joint statement on Wednesday.

The FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has been fighting the government in a jungle and urban conflict that has killed more than 200,000 people in the five decades since it began as a peasant movement seeking land reform.

The partial accord may pave the way for FARC to enter Colombian politics, which chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle said would provide a "new democratic opening" and cement peace after an end of conflict.

"Never again politics and weapons together," he said.

Like other Latin American guerrilla groups, the FARC aspires to become a political party if a peace deal is signed.

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More News On Colombia - FARC Peace Talks

Colombia agrees Farc political participation -- BBC
Colombia, rebels strike partial accord on guerrillas’ political participation in Havana talks -- Washington Post/AP
Colombia, rebels reach agreement on key peace issue -- AFP
Colombia and FARC rebels agree on key issue for peace negotiations -- Deutsche Welle
Farc rebels reach deal with Colombia on political role in country -- The Guardian
Bogota and FARC peace talks make partial progress in Cuba -- Euronews
Colombia, Rebels Edge Closer to Peace Deal -- Wall Street Journal
Factbox: Colombia's peace talks: despite advance, plenty left to do -- Reuters

FARC Suspends Peace Talks With The Colombian Government

FARC's announcement was the first interruption of talks that began in November [Reuters]

Colombia's Farc Calls 'Pause' In Peace Talks -- BBC

Colombia's Farc rebels have announced a "pause" in peace talks with the government to study a proposal that any peace deal must be put to a referendum.

President Juan Manuel Santos on Thursday submitted the proposal seeking to hold the referendum on the same day as national elections next year.

The Farc has been pushing for a Constituent Assembly instead, hoping to later change the nation's constitution.

The talks between Bogota and the left-wing rebels began in Cuba last year.

The Farc announced its move in a statement in Cuba's capital, Havana.

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More News On FARC Suspending Peace Talks With The Colombian Government

Colombia FARC rebels pause peace talks in Cuba; dispute over proposed constitutional assembly -- Washington Post/AP
FARC calls pause in peace talks -- FOX News/AFP
FARC suspends peace talks with Bogota -- Al Jazeera
Colombia FARC pause talks to study referendum proposal -- Reuters
Colombian Rebels Suspend Peace Talks After Referendum Proposal -- Wall Street Journal

U.S. Veteran Captured By FARC Guerrillas In Colombia

Colombia's FARC Rebels Say They've Captured US Soldier -- NBC

BOGOTA - Colombia's FARC rebels said late on Friday they were holding a U.S. soldier captured on June 20, but were willing to release him to a humanitarian commission as they pursue peace talks with the government.

The FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, said on its website it had caught the soldier, identified as Kevin Scott Sutay, in a jungle region in the south of the country, describing him as a mine clearance expert from New York who has served in Afghanistan.

"Despite the right we have to hold Kevin Scott as a prisoner of war, we have taken the political decision to free him in the spirit of talks that are advancing in Havana with the Colombian government," the statement said.

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More News ON Colombia's FARC Rebels Saying That They Have Captured A U.S. Soldier

FARC says it will free U.S. veteran captured in Colombia -- UPI
Colombia's Farc offers to release 'US veteran -- BBC
Colombia's FARC rebels say they have been holding ex-US serviceman, will release him -- FOX News/AP
Colombian rebels to release prisoner they say is a U.S. soldier -- CNN
FARC rebels say captured US soldier, offer his release -- FOX News/AFP
Colombia's FARC says holding U.S. soldier, willing to release -- Reuters
Colombia: FARC rebels offer to free ‘US soldier’ -- Euronews
Captured Marine is ‘a tourist’ -- The Scotsman

Colombia Peace Talks Now In Doubt After FARC Guerrillas Kill 19 Soldiers

(Photo: Colombian military)

Colombian President Vows To Fight Farc After Killings -- BBC

Colombia's president has ordered the army "not to stop shooting" until the conflict with the Farc rebels is over, after 15 soldiers died in an ambush.

Juan Manuel Santos also ordered more troops to the eastern Arauca region, where the attack by suspected Farc gunmen took place on Saturday.

Bogota and the Farc are currently holding talks in Cuba to end more than five decades of conflict.

The government has rejected a rebel call for a truce during the talks.

It says a ceasefire would only provide the opportunity for the left-wing rebels to regroup and rearm.

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More News On FARC Guerrillas Killing 19 Soldiers

At least 17 soldiers killed in FARC attack, 14 reported missing -- Colombia Report
Nineteen Colombian soldiers killed in clashes with FARC rebels -- Reuters
Rebel Attacks in Colombia Leave 19 Soldiers Dead -- Wall Street Journal
Fifteen Colombia soldiers killed in rebel ambush: govt -- FOX News/AFP
At least 19 killed as rebels, soldiers clash in Colombia -- CNN
Santos vows full-bore assault after FARC kills 19 -- Boston.com/AP
Colombia: We'll hunt down rebels -- Independent.ie
Colombia President Santos vows military force after FARC kills soldiers -- Deutsche Welle
Colombia orders FARC arrests after ambush -- Al Jazeera
Colombia peace in doubt as soldiers slain -- Al Jazeera

Colombia Rebels Make New Demands At Peace Talks

Colombia, FARC Start New Round Of Talks In Cuba -- Reuters

* Government pushing for agreement on agrarian reform
* Rebels say hopeful of finding political solution to conflict
* Talks began five months ago

HAVANA, April 23 (Reuters) - Colombia and the Marxist FARC rebels launched their latest round of peace talks on Tuesday in Havana after a month-long break in a process aimed at ending half a century of bloody conflict in the South American nation.

At the end of their last round on March 21, both sides cited progress toward an accord on the key issue of agrarian reform, which lead government negotiator Humberto de la Calle said needs to be settled soon so they can move on to other issues.

"We arrive in Havana today with the objective of making decisions," he said in a statement to reporters before entering Havana's main convention center where the talks are being held.

"We want results," he said. "This is a process that cannot be prolonged indefinitely."

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More News On Resumption Of Colombia Peace Talks

Colombian rebels, government, restart peace talks in Cuba aimed at ending decades of conflict -- Washington Post/AP
Colombia rebels make new demands at peace talks -- Global Post/AFP
Colombia and FARC rebels begin fresh talks in Cuba -- Euronews
UN member nations back Colombian peace process -- Colombia Reports

Colombia's War Against FARC Continues

Give Up Or Die, Santos Tells Colombia Rebel Boss -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos warned the new FARC rebel chief to reconsider waging war or risk the same fate as his predecessor, who was shot dead by special forces this month.

The naming of hard-liner Timoleon Jimenez as leader of the drug-funded guerrilla group has dampened hopes the killing of the former commander, Alfonso Cano, could herald the beginning of the end of nearly five decades of war.

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More News On Colombia's War Against FARC

Santos tells FARC leader 'Timochenko' to end violence -- Colombia Reports
Farc names cocaine kingpin as regional commander -- The Telegraph
Colombia's new FARC boss, a doctor and strategist -- Reuters
Colombia's FARC rebels choose hardliner 'Timochenko' to lead -- Christian Science Monitor
Colombians increasingly optimistic about their country -- Colombia Reports
FARC leader dies, civil war continues -- William Lloyd George, Al Jazeera

Colombia Kills FARCs Security Chief

Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces member Alirio Rojas Bocanegra, aka 'El Abuelo' (the Grandfather) (AFP/Colombian Army)

Colombia Kills FARC Commander -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News

Colombian authorities said they killed the top-ranking security chief of the rebel group FARC.

LIMA -- Colombian authorities said they killed a top-ranking security chief of the country’s main guerrilla group in a move that President Juan Manuel Santos hailed as proof that the rebels could be systematically dismantled.

On Saturday, Colombia’s Ministry of Defense said the army had killed Alirio Rojas Bocanegra, known as “El Abuelo.” during a firefight in Tolima, about 120 miles southwest of capital Bogota.

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More News On The Colombian Military's Success In Killing FARC's Security Chief

Colombian army kills top FARC commander -- Colombia Reports
Colombian army kills FARC guerrilla security chief -- Reuters
Senior Farc leader Alirio Rojas Bocanegra killed -- BBC
Colombia Confirms Death of Rebel Leader’s Security Chief -- Latin American Herald Tribune
Colombian rebels suffer another blow with killing of security chief. -- Examiner
Colombia: FARC security chief killed -- AFP

My Comment: When you lose your own security chief .... that is when you know that your opponent is slowly closing in on you.

"The FARC in Transition: The Fatal Weakening of the Hemisphere's Oldest Guerrilla Movement"

In this Monday, June 23, 2008, file photo, one of seven rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, who surrendered to the Army, stands with his face covered at a military base in Cali, Colombia.

From Counter Terrorism Blog:

Today the NEFA Foundation published a paper I wrote on the overall weakening of the FARC in Colombia and the likely options for its future development.

The new paper, "The FARC in Transition: The Fatal Weakening of the Hemisphere's Oldest Guerrilla Movement," is a followup to one I did analyzing the publicly released documents taken from the computer of the FARC's second in command, Raul Reyes, killed by Colombian troops in raid into neighboring Ecuador.

The paper posits that in the near term, the new FARC leadership-for the first time in its 44-year history dominated by urban, educated leaders rather than peasants lacking formal education-will try to launch a major military strike in order to prove its legitimacy to the rank and file.

Read more ....

More News on FARC And Colombia:
Rebels desert as Colombia army advances -- Yahoo News
Rebels Desert as Colombia Army Advances -- ABC News
Colombian military advances spur rebel desertions -- Daily News
European mediators seek out Colombia rebels-source -- Reuters
Building peace -- Financial Times

My Comment: The survivors of FARC will probably end up going into the drug trade. This guerilla movement is dead for now.