Millions of Columbian demonstrators all over the world took to streets on Sunday demanding the release of nearly 3,000 hostages held over many years by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela had also called for rebels to lay down weapons and stop fighting. The immediate response of the largest left wing rebel force is: It would never lay weapons and stop fighting. They wrote, ‘We will never be the ones – never, a thousand times never – to lay down our weapons.’ The note was signed by FARC top commanders and ideologists of the 44 year old rebel group, Rodrigo Granda and Jesus Santrich.
Colombia celebrated 198th Independence Day on Sunday and demonstrators all over world used the occasion to protest against FARC. The mood of demonstrators was upbeat after last month’s dramatic release of Betancourt, along with other high profile hostages through a Colombia commando mission. Betancourt, the French Colombian citizen was kidnapped way back in 2002. There are still some 25 other political hostages which FARC are willing to release only in exchange for hundreds of FARC comrades in Colombian prisons. Meanwhile FARC also has kidnapped and held some hundreds for ransom. This is how they fund their rebel army.
Some feel FARC will be under pressure after being tricked to release high profile hostages and will soften up their stand. But the rebel group is not willing end its four decade old struggle against imperialism. It is on the way to refuel its fight for communists’ ideals. FARC almost rules in poverty-stricken rural areas and inducts fresh recruits regularly.
Colombia’s future lies more in peace negotiations at political level between President Alvaro Uribe and FARC. Both need to bend to populist demand to end the civil war which has almost made Colombia itself a hostage of its own civil conflicts. Till that is done the fear of kidnapping will continue to stalk the Colombians.
Via: monstersandcritics
