Colombia Stages Anti-FARC Protests

[Faux Real]

http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/images/2008/2/4/1_239802_1_16.jpg
Similar demonstrations were held in other countries, including Guatemala [AFP]
Tens of thousands of Colombians have taken to the streets across the country in a massive protest against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, which has abducted a number of people and held them for years in jungle camps.
The government-organised protests took place in many of Colombia's cities on Monday, in some of the largest rallies ever organised in the country.
In Bogota, the country's capital, protesters rallied in the city's main plaza.
'No more kidnapping'
Many waved flags and some wore T-shirts that read: "No more kidnapping, No more lies, No more killing, No more Farc".
Alvaro Uribe, the Colombian president, declared on the private television station Caracol: "Today the citizens have more faith in the state, they have more faith in the army."
Over the last few days the government has made a number of appeals to encourage a massive public turnout, seeking to equate the demonstrations with support for its policies to bring down Farc.
"No more Farc, we don't want any more Farc, young people have to say no to the Farc, and tell them to stop their violence," said Jaime Martinez, a student wrapped in a Colombian flag and with "Peace" painted on his face.
Decade in captivity
Recent videos of hostages held by Farc showed the men and women chained up and despondent after as long as a decade in captivity.
http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/images/2008/2/4/1_239797_1_3.jpg
Some condemned Monday's demonstration as Colombian government propaganda [AFP]
The videos have fuelled outrage against Farc, which the US and Europe have branded as "terrorists" funded by Colombia's cocaine trade.
Similar demonstrations were also held in Madrid, the US, Canada, Japan and Venezuela organised by the Colombian embassies in the cities.
In Paris, some 200 people mostly Colombians turned out, but the rally received sharp condemnation from family of Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician held hostage by Farc.
"We condemn this manipulation. It's propaganda, which while pretending to be against the Farc is completely organised by the government," said Astrid Betancourt, sister to Ingrid.
Farc fighters pledged on Sunday to release three of the hostages who are in poor health after seven years of captivity in the jungle.
But attempts to reach a hostage deal are deadlocked over a rebel demand that Uribe demilitarise an area the size of New York City in southern Colombia.
He has refused, saying that would allow the Farc to regroup, but has offered a smaller zone under international observation.
(source (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4918B7D1-D4FB-494C-B936-098794773E9E.htm))

Sad to hear about this, but what else is to be expected from American puppet states. Do they actually think they're helping the situation by calling for FARC to disband?

[Comrade Castro]

I know, today at school all the stupid little rich kids had their " peace in Colombia. No to the FARC" bullshit shirts. Being (and discreetly so) the only Communist in my school, I could only look on in disgust. However, I had to do something, so now many computers in my school library have this as their background:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Flag_of_the_farc-ep.png :D

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

It's propaganda, which while pretending to be against the Farc is completely organised by the government...

She speaks the truth here, of course..

[R_P_A_S]

now this is what we would call reactionaries right? right??? =)

[YSR]

Reactionaries? Yes.

The FARC? Reactionaries as well.

[bootleg42]

First, if these people were marching for peace, then not only should they be demonstrating against the kidnappings of the Farc, but they should also turn around and protest against the kidnappings the Colombian government have made against leftists all over Colombia.

Second, though we can argue that the Farc are not the ones that will bring socialism to Colombia, one must understand their fight and the situation in the country.

To have ANY leftist thinking in Colombia today (and in the past) gets you blacklisted (which leads to starvation) and many times gets you kidnapped by the government. To be openly left (any left, not only revolutionary left) in Colombia is asking for death. This is well documented. The Farc are fighting for the left to exist in Colombia. This is why the government, for years, have done a HUGE campaign against the Farc. They're afraid of ANY left feelings taking over the political culture in the country (and I emphasize the words ANY left). They went as far as to dress paramilitary soldiers up as Farc member so that they could go commit horrible crimes against people, making the population think it's the real Farc. This too has been documented.

The true purpose of the Farc is to allow a left to just exist in the country. I know they won't bring socialism to the country and I hope leninism doesn't take over it all, but I know that the Farc fight to let leftists exist for once. I for one support them. Que viva las Farc!!!!

[Sleeping Dog]

I know, today at school all the stupid little rich kids had their " peace in Colombia. No to the FARC" bullshit shirts. Being (and discreetly so) the only Communist in my school, I could only look on in disgust. However, I had to do something, so now many computers in my school library have this as their background:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Flag_of_the_farc-ep.png :DNice move brother! :cool:

[OrientalHado]

government propaganda indeed..It is simply a collusion of The rich, media elite and government trying to undermine F.A.R.C, who without U.S aid will topple this regime..First they attempted to accuse farc of civilian bombings, which was reported on here a while ago were false.

With Farc releasing prisoners, it is just a way to sway public opinion..TO try and demonise the organisation..

[Raúl Duke]

I know, today at school all the stupid little rich kids had their " peace in Colombia. No to the FARC" bullshit shirts. Being (and discreetly so) the only Communist in my school, I could only look on in disgust. However, I had to do something, so now many computers in my school library have this as their background:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Flag_of_the_farc-ep.png :D

Hey comrade do you live in Doral, Fl per chance? Here the people are against the FARC and Chavez too. Although no one was wearing those shirts in my school.

Although not that I care much about that group/person...(however, the people in school tend to exaggerate to much on things with Chavez in my opinion.)

[Wanted Man]

The news here said that half a million people marched against FARC, but according to the OP, it's more like tens of thousands. :confused:

[Herman]

In El Pais, it said that millions in many cities around the world had demonstrated against the FARC. Any truth to it?

[Wanted Man]

Paper "DAG" claims a million people in Bogota.

[Xiao Banfa]

The sight of those digusting, well fed, done up bourgeois ****s makes me sick. Take the guns away from the leftists, and only the fascists will have guns.

Up the Farc!

[chebol]

50,000 people in Bogota, according to AP.

But don't let that get in the way of good propaganda.

The rallies around the world were organised out of the colombian embassies, which pissed the french off, at least (what with the colombian govt constantly scuppering negotiations for the release of Ingrid Betancourt).

A monumental flop, in my opinion, although there is still a very real need to counteract the propaganda with a bit of fact.

[Comrade Castro]

Hey comrade do you live in Doral, Fl per chance? Here the people are against the FARC and Chavez too. Although no one was wearing those shirts in my school.

Although not that I care much about that group/person...(however, the people in school tend to exaggerate to much on things with Chavez in my opinion.)


No, I live in Weston (and NO, im not rich, we live in the lower-middle class houses on the edge of town). Over here turns out to be the place where all of Venezuela's elite has moved.... some kids at my school have dads who are wanted for high treason in venezuela, or murder during the 2002 coup! My family are the only chavistas, and even more the only communists around here. :(

[bootleg42]

No, I live in Weston (and NO, im not rich, we live in the lower-middle class houses on the edge of town). Over here turns out to be the place where all of Venezuela's elite has moved.... some kids at my school have dads who are wanted for high treason in venezuela, or murder during the 2002 coup! My family are the only chavistas, and even more the only communists around here. :(

Wow. Take down names and send them to groups in Venezuela. Go to Aporrea (a pro Chavez forum in Spanish in Venezuela) and send names and stuff. Let the people know who these people are and where they're hiding.

Also keep your mouth shut and ears open. You never know when they'll spit something out that could be helpful to the people of Venezuela.

[Colonello Buendia]

Wow. Take down names and send them to groups in Venezuela. Go to Aporrea (a pro Chavez forum in Spanish in Venezuela) and send names and stuff. Let the people know who these people are and where they're hiding.

Also keep your mouth shut and ears open. You never know when they'll spit something out that could be helpful to the people of Venezuela.


yeah, what you know could really help the Venezuelan government, and makes life harder for the bourgoisie and like bootleg said,DON"T MENTION YOU"RE COMMUNIST OR A CHAVISTA

[Comrade Castro]

Already doing so. When we move back to Venezuela this summer, i'll have a nice little list.:D

[RedStarOverChina]

Viva la FARC.

[BIG BROTHER]

The thing is, is that by doing the kidnapins Las FARC scares all the people not only the burgoise, but also the working class of Colombia.

[KurtFF8]

Apparently a group of 30 or so people took part in a minor demonstration that was linked with this event (it was an anti-FARC event), although I didn't read about it until today.

Had I known about it, as an SDS member I still would have done nothing as the FARC is hardly a "communist" organization any more. One simply has to look at their actions to see that they've long abandoned the pro-working class struggle and are out for themselves.

[Davie zepeda]

The fact of the matter the farc should not be kidnapings and instead of fighting in the jungle where they have a base now to launch attacks .They should redirect them selfs around the major city's given the sense of closing in on the enemy .Giving surprise attacks on barracks to demoralizing them non stop and this will i promise break done the right wing government .They are in a war remember the means meet the ends anything for victory when your enemy is a beast.
As for the march when something is done by the people thats when it counts but when it's done by the help of government not only to destabilize things more but to drive the wedge between the people more so change will never happen when the people are divide !

[Wanted Man]

Article on the protest: http://indymedia.nl/nl/2008/02/50085.shtml

What do you think of this? I only read it through briefly, but one thing struck me: whether you agree with the FARC's methods or not, the protest serves only to justify and amplify the total war effort against the FARC, which started with the Uribe presidency.

A humanitarian agreement, including an end to the kidnappings, will not be possible as long as the total war continues, as long as the government continues to break agreements, continues to snub the mediation of Venezuela, etc.

KurtFF8, opponents of FARC who claim to be on the left, should at least accept this, IMO. The actions outside of Colombia were organized from Colombian embassies, and only serve the war effort. All the more reason to oppose it, no matter what you think of FARC.

[Lenin II]

The imperialist monster says in its propaganda and media that the FARC-EP are "terrorists" or "drug dealers." Most likely this isn't true. Urribe's Colombia is a fascist and repressive state supported by the West's imperialism. Meanwhile the FARC are fighting a socialist war and competent guerrila warfare against the racist fascism. Bourgeoisie states bleeding tears over "human rights" always make me laugh.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

First, if these people were marching for peace, then not only should they be demonstrating against the kidnappings of the Farc, but they should also turn around and protest against the kidnappings the Colombian government have made against leftists all over Colombia.

Second, though we can argue that the Farc are not the ones that will bring socialism to Colombia, one must understand their fight and the situation in the country.

To have ANY leftist thinking in Colombia today (and in the past) gets you blacklisted (which leads to starvation) and many times gets you kidnapped by the government. To be openly left (any left, not only revolutionary left) in Colombia is asking for death. This is well documented. The Farc are fighting for the left to exist in Colombia. This is why the government, for years, have done a HUGE campaign against the Farc. They're afraid of ANY left feelings taking over the political culture in the country (and I emphasize the words ANY left). They went as far as to dress paramilitary soldiers up as Farc member so that they could go commit horrible crimes against people, making the population think it's the real Farc. This too has been documented.

The true purpose of the Farc is to allow a left to just exist in the country. I know they won't bring socialism to the country and I hope leninism doesn't take over it all, but I know that the Farc fight to let leftists exist for once. I for one support them. Que viva las Farc!!!!

sources?

[Luís Henrique]

the protest serves only to justify and amplify the total war effort against the FARC

Of course! It uses the "oppose both" rhetorics. But it opposes the FARC by asking for its end (which, short of unilateral capitulation of the FARC, can come only out of a military victory of the Colombian State), while "opposes" the Colombian State by criticising its inefficiency in defeating FARC...

What is worrisome is that is seems to point to an increasing isolation of the FARC and relegitimisation of the State - in which case the political conditions for an effective military crushing of the FARC may be achieved by the Uribe's regime.

Luís Henrique

[Wanted Man]

LH: that vaguely reminds me of a discussion that you had with Devrim and Leo, about the "independent" students' opposition to Chavez. That was really painful to read.

Anyway, you're right. If the Colombian state is able to mobilize more and more people against FARC, it will be a heavy blow against any resistance to that state.

[VukBZ2005]

I am in general agreement with Luís Henrique on this situation. However, one must also take into account the class and ethnic divisions that exist in Colombian society, and, the role these two factors play in this situation. It is the only way to get a general sense of how isolated is the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia - People's Army (FARC-EP) from the rest of Columbian society.