Colombia’s FARC Rebels Face Dangers in Possible Return to Politics
Colombia’s FARC Rebels Face Dangers in Possible Return to Politics
By John Otis ⋅ September 2, 2013 ⋅
At peace talks in Cuba, the Colombian government is urging Marxist rebels to disarm and form a political party. The guerrillas, known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), are understandably wary.
In the 1980s, the FARC founded the left-wing Patriotic Union party only to see thousands of its members gunned down. But the government claims that security has improved and that Colombia is now safe for one-time guerrillas to stump for votes.
Since launching a guerrilla war in the 1960s, the FARC has claimed that it’s too dangerous for leftists to run for office and that armed struggle is the only path to political power.
The rebels speak from experience.
During a ceasefire in the 1980s, the FARC formed the Patriotic Union and the government promised to protect its members. But the FARC refused to disarm. And when the party’s candidates began winning elections, right-wing extremists charged that the Patriotic Union was paving the way for a rebel takeover. The result was a bloodbath.
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http://www.theworld.org/2013/09/colombia-farc/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=colombia-farc
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