Once again I write about Colombia, because hell might be breaking loose.
Quite recently, the Colombian government celebrated the death of the second most important FARC leader, "Raul Reyes", who was located thanks to anonymous tips, and was bombed miles into the Ecuatorian border. Following this event, President Uribe talked to the nation and expressed his gratitude of the military, the police, and the Ecuatorian President Rafael Correa for cooperation. Several people didn't celebrate, however, because such a loss was seen as the prelude to conflict: several saw coming a more intense war from FARC, or the death of hostages such as Ingrid Betancourt, the famous French-Colombian ex-candidate.
It seems so far, however, it might be a lot more serious. Following this event Chavez denounced the attack as an act of war as Ecuatorian soil was bombed. He felt it was an act of aggression not only from Colombia, but also from the North American Empire. Later on, he removed the Colombian ambassador and moved troops to the Colombian border. He is clearly on the side of FARC.
Things have gotten more complex. Today President Correa (ironically, days after having allowed for the attack to happen and President Uribe to thank him) declared it was the most blatant act of aggression against his country, and immediatly moved to do the same: he removed the ambassador and moved troops to the frontier. As I write, Caracol, a major Colombian t.v. network, is emitting a speech from Colombian General Oscar Naranja, leader of the national police, who is revealing to the public documents from the recently dead guerrilla leader "Raul Reyes" which reveal that both President Correa of Ecuador and Chavez have held ties to FARC and have been expressing their desire to support it politically and economically.
All I have to say is that Colombia is easily being surrounded, and so far it only has the U.S. as its ally. Besides Correa and Chavez, President Ortega of Nicaragua (correct me if mistaken) has been claiming the islands of San Andres and Providencia, which have belonged to Colombia for years. Coincidentially, Ortega is also a leftist, along with Correa and Chavez.
As far I see, nothing can really happen for now, but it won't be like this forever. North Americans have been focusing on their election year, and so I will give you a little warning: Hillary Clinton has expressed a desire to cease military and economic support for Colombia, as well as bringing about an end to the Free Trade Agreement (TLC) with Colombia, as she has expressed belief in Colombia being the responsible for the drug problem in this country. I believe that if she indeed intends to break ties with Colombia, she might as well be giving it away to the new socialist (or bolivarian...same thing) bloc in South America, and then Chavez won't be such a small threat.
For those who can vote: please don't let this happen. Get educated about all the possibilites of who you choose as president. A Chilean man recently said that all the world should be allowed to vote to elect the American president, because whoever takes that post will affect what happens in most of our countries. I don't disagree much with that fact.
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2 comments:
Did Colombia had full (legal) approval from Ecuador to go past the borders to get to Reyes? I think that must have been lacking or misunderstood. The importance of getting a FARC leader overshadowed other considerations. Not that I side with Venezuela and Ecuador, not at all. Chavez is a power hungry imbecile with a lust for conflict. And Correa, ha Correa. Neither has any true interest for the betterment of their countries, as is the case with so many Latin American leaders. They are also taking it too far. Stopping diplomatic relations is stupid. Understandable, but stupid. Unless of course, all you want is conflict, and preserving the honor of your nation blah blah. It's what all the radicals do, oh and yeah, the U.S. too. Or let me be more clear, the administration/government of all these countries.
I don't know what sort of solution could be brought about. No country will back away, unless we see Uribe apologizing without really having anything to apologize about.
And about U.S. involvement in Colombia, from what I've heard it's only served to spread drug development throughout the country. The U.S. hasn't really helped, or at least not in the right way, to improve the situation. Could it? Probably. Taking it to the full extent of removing all suport of course is not the solution, much less economic support. But there's only so much the U.S. should get involved in or can do about the current situation. It serves best as a mediator, and a big influence to make governments act different (though economic pressure doesn't always work). It needs to help stabilize the whole region, not just Colombia and that means also working out relations with Chavez. As much as we might want things to crumble for him and others, and for all to improve, there's a nation's sovereignty to deal with (and all that that implies).
No Columbia had no (legal)right to enter Ecuador...bt was secessfull in it's mission...which is a good thing for both Ecuador and Columbia. And Uribe has apologized and said Columbia would respect Ecuador's border, thus making amends with Ecuador. Nicaragua (can't spell) followed and forgave Columbia...which it better have cause it did the same thing like twenty years(date is not coming to mind) ago when it went after the Contras in Honduras.
But the whole incident only served to further isolate Chavez from his neighbors, because everyone now knows he fully supports FARC. I think Columbia did the right thing and I hope Columbia and Ecuador can come together and crush FARC, who is one of the last obstacles in fully rehabilitating south america from the organized drug cartels!
The real problem is in what happening in Mexico and all the grang wars that are starting over who gets to carry drugs over the US border...AH! you put out one fire and anohter starts...
ps
VOTE OBAMA!
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