Pardon my ignorance, but what is FARC?

[Looking4Wife]

I keep seeing FARC, what does the acronym stand for and what does this organization do?

Usually there is some mention in the posts I read about avoiding FARC, but not much more info...

Gracias

[Ricardo]

... in response to Pardon my ignorance, but what is FARC?, posted by Looking4Wife on Jan 17, 2005

take a look at this, a quick search on the net could have answered your questions.....

http://cfrterrorism.org/groups/farc2.html

Can all FARC and ELN violence be called terrorism?

No. FARC and ELN are waging a guerrilla war against the Colombian government and often choose military targets. Some 200,000 people have been killed in Colombia’s civil war since 1964, and Colombia-watchers credit the leftist FARC and ELN with about 15 percent of the approximately 3,500 civilian deaths that occur in an average year. Most experts say that the right-wing paramilitaries of the AUC are responsible for at least 75 percent of civilian deaths in the Colombian civil war.

Where does AUC operate?
Its base is in northern Colombia, where the drug traffickers and landowners who support the group hold sway. But during the 1990s, AUC extended its reach and now operates throughout central and western Colombia and also in cities.

What does AUC want?
AUC favors respect for private property, an end to the leftist guerrillas’ kidnappings and extortion, recognition of the AUC as a legitimate political force, and negotiations with the national government and leftist guerrilla groups.

How big is AUC?
Its army has 8,000 members and is growing rapidly. AUC, which pays its fighters far more than do FARC and ELN, actively recruits from families terrorized by leftist guerrillas and by groups that protect drug traffickers.

What kinds of terrorist attacks does AUC commit?
In the past year, AUC has gone beyond attacks on leftist guerrillas and civilians it suspects of leftist sympathies by killing trade union members and human rights activists. An AUC spokesman said recently that, to improve its public image, the group would no longer execute more than three people in any one attack.

What else does AUC do?
AUC provides the landowners who finance it with some social services and with defense against leftist insurgents. The group has also entered Colombian politics, and it is involved in—and profits from—the drug trade, according to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials. In September 2002, Attorney General John Ashcroft indicted AUC’s paramilitary leader and two other AUC members on charges of smuggling some 17 tons of cocaine into the United States and Europe since 1997.

Does the Colombian government support AUC paramilitaries?
Colombia outlawed paramilitary groups in 1989, and AUC receives no support from any government, including Colombia’s. However, Human Rights Watch has documented ties between AUC and the Colombian armed forces.

Do Colombian terrorists have ties to other terrorist groups?
In August 2001, Colombian police arrested two Irish Republican Army members in the Colombian capital, Bogota, on charges of training FARC militants in urban bombing techniques. No other connections have been reported.

[thunderbolt]

... in response to FARC AND ELN VIOLENCE (long), posted by Ricardo on Jan 18, 2005

Both FARC and this AUC are little more than private armies financed by the drug trade.  I do not think that the majority people would support their seizure of power, nor DO THEY ACTUALLY ATTEMPT to do that; they are content to have impunity in drug-producing regions.  And sadly I don't think they will go away unless the coca production is eradicated.  Just as islamic fundamentalists will not go away until Saudi Arabia will stop being flooded with petro-dollars.

These groups in Colombia don't stand for any particular ideology IMO, just a bunch of scumbags.

[MarkNJ]

... in response to Pardon my ignorance, but what is FARC?, posted by Looking4Wife on Jan 17, 2005

I was wondering if any board members know of someone who has been subjected to extortion in Colombia?      http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=589&ncid=734&e=3&u=/ap/20050117/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/colombia_extortion_epidemic

[Gator]

... in response to Re: but what is FARC?  Extortion???, posted by MarkNJ on Jan 18, 2005

Payments were routine to FARC to provide "protection" for the workers on my finca.  Protection from, guess who, FARC, the hijo de putas. This bunch of misfits deserve whatever Uribe can dish out.  BTW, FARC has lost a lot of "glamor" and recruits since the hunter-killer battalions went into action two years ago.

"Kill úm all but six and save them for the pallbearers."

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: but what is FARC?  Extortion???, posted by MarkNJ on Jan 18, 2005

No, but my wife knows several people who were kidnapped and later freed after paying a ransom. Probably everyone in Colombia has a similar experience.

[Malandro]

... in response to Pardon my ignorance, but what is FARC?, posted by Looking4Wife on Jan 17, 2005

[This message has been edited by Malandro]

also known as the Colombian Democratic Party

[thunderbolt]

... in response to Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Colombia..., posted by Malandro on Jan 18, 2005

Democratic?? LOL!

[Pete E]

... in response to Pardon my ignorance, but what is FARC?, posted by Looking4Wife on Jan 17, 2005

28,000 or so Fidel clones.A bunch of ignorant peasants led by a bunch of drug dealing wheeler dealers.1/16 of one per cent of the population,screwed up Colombia big time for 50 years.Their days are numbered,Uribe is going to go get their ass.He just now got the Military and police built up to the task.Finally a Colombian president with some balls.
I expect a deal for amnesty for the big guys,the grunts back to farming.Deal done in 5 years.I have been called an optomist.
ELN is the other rebel group,maybe 12,000 people.Kind of a
Junior FARC.
AUC is the counter revolutionaries.The only guys to really defend Colombia for 50 years while the government had their finger in their butt.They have offered to disband if the government will just do its job.
3 years ago,before Uribe they would just shut down the
Main highway in to Bogota and kidnap people.No more.You can travel most anywhere by day,gets more risky at night.
Even in Cali we have barios,like Siloue,where FARC guys are rumored to hang out.Uribe is sending his kick ass chief of police from Cartagena to clean up Cali.
I posted below where Guirilas,probably FARC killed a mother and child in  acvillage outside of Cali recently.I belive they were kidnapped and I guess FARC didn't get their money.
Assholes of the world.Right in their with some middle eastern types,but not so crazy as to be suicidal.They will split when they see the government is serious,which they finaly are.No more Jimmy Carter ,Neville Chamberlin type guys in charge here.COLOMBIA HAS FINALLY HAD ENOUGH.
AND GREW A SET OF BALLS.ABOUT TIME.

Pete

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Pardon my ignorance, but what is FAR..., posted by Pete E on Jan 18, 2005

Got to hand it to you, Pete. You're always an optimist. Most Colombians live with their heads up their asses about the whole thing. They try to pretend the war isn't going on and live as normally as possible. A nation with some will power would have wiped them out years ago.

[thunderbolt]

... in response to Re: Re: Pardon my ignorance, but what is..., posted by utopiacowboy on Jan 18, 2005

They probably coaxed themselves into believing that it is a necessary facet of life.  Since it's been going so long, most probably don't remember life before this civil war.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Pardon my ignorance, but what is..., posted by utopiacowboy on Jan 18, 2005

Well they got enough will together to elect Uribe overwhelmingly.Now they have to support him in the effort.I hear alot of people not happy with him because their taxes went up and their personal finances took a hit.
I am an opptomist becauseI know it so possible.But it was possible before when they did nothing,electing a wimp ass like Pastrana,just hoping the guirillas would turn nice guys if they gave them enuogh.Could they screw it up by not supporting the guy to get it done?Yes,but it looks like he has huge support.Could the US actually get in the way with their insistance on extradition and prosecution?Definetly could.
We will see.Life isan unfolding expewrience,which iswhat makes it so interesting.

Pete

[Gator]

... in response to Pardon my ignorance, but what is FARC?, posted by Looking4Wife on Jan 17, 2005

Much quieter now that the Colombian Government has been kicking their ass. I hate the bastards.  They are the main reason the wife and I had to seel the farm outside Cali.  Never did get the from the AK47 rounds out of the back of the Izuzu.

Here are a couple of Spanish phrases that may help if you happen to be stopped;

¡Me encanta su uniforme!
I love your uniform!

¡Sus ametralladoras astán tan limpias!
Your automatice weapons are so clean.

¿Dije americano?  Quería decir canadiense.
Did I say American?  I meant Canadian.

¿Mi passaporte? ¿americano? ¡Otra vez esos bueyes franceses en Quebec lo han jodido todo¡

My passport? American? Once again those French bastards in Quebec have screwed up!

Key words you need to be aware of when dealing with FARC are "¡pendejo!" (stupid or a pubic hair) "¡Disparen ahora!" (Shoot now)  "¡Mate a los gringos!" (kill the gringos).  If you hear these key words do NOT worry about a translation.  When the crunch comes the less you know the better.  It's like dealing with a bear in the woods-play dumb.  But if you any combination of the above let panic be your guide.

1

[Jamie]

... in response to Terroists into Kidnapping/Narcotics (us..., posted by Gator on Jan 17, 2005

“My passport? American? Once again those French bastards in Quebec have screwed up!”
That was very funny.
What I don’t understand (yes politically I understand) was Uribe’s attempted to swap prisoner with those that had been kidnapped? This only rewards and encourages more kidnapping in the future.

Jamie
Engage the Exotic – Latin Women
http://International-Introductions.com

[Andy]

... in response to Terroists into Kidnapping/Narcotics (us..., posted by Gator on Jan 17, 2005

[This message has been edited by Andy]

Gator, Was that a joke, or did you really have AK47 rounds in the back of the Isuzu?

What's come in handy for me, if you're traveling with friends who are light skinned and don't speak Spanish so well,

Soy con Ustedes. Matemos a los gringos, y podemos hacer lo que queremos con sus mujeres.  (I'm with you guys.  Let's kill the gringos, then have our way with their women.)

Best done with a strong Mexican accent -- Think Cheech Marin.

Regards,

Andy aka Miguel

(Back with a new name -- banned months ago, and I have absolutely no idea why.)