Tiquicia

Colombians Take to the Street to Free Farc Hostages

Hundreds of thousands of Colombians took to the streets yesterday in cities throughout the country to cheer the release of the 15 hostages on July 2nd, which included ex-presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and as a national outcry to persuade the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) to release the 3,000 hostages they continue to hold captive in the jungles and put an end to the kidnapping.  In addition, the same demonstrations took place in 90 cites throughout the world.  In Costa Rica, for instance, the event took place in San Antonio de Belén as well as near the Colombia embassy located in barrio Dent.  In Colombia the gatherings, under the name "Libérenlos ya" were centered in the city of Leticia in the middle of the Amazonian jungle.  There the event was attended by Colombian president Uribe, as well as other Latin world leaders.  Even the famous Colombian singer, Shakira, was on hand for the event and sang the national hymn.  In other parts of Colombia, the largest gatherings occurred in all 32 of the capitals of the country's political divisions, or departamentos.  Coinciding with the live events were virtual events that took place via the internet.  In Paris, in the early morning, Betancourt herself, along with Spanish singer, Miguel Bosé and Colombian pop star Juanes, sent a message to the other FARC hostages via a radio broadcast.  She directed part of the message directly to the current leader of the FARC forces, Alfonso Cano.  Betancourt called for him to drop his weapons and end the kidnappings.

Link to full article in La Nación (in Spanish): http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/julio/21/mundo1628764.html

FARC Fooled: Betancourt is Free!

What a joy to Colombians and others around the world to see the beautiful smiling face of Ingrid Betancourt united with her family.  She, along with three Americans, and others who had been held hostage by the FARC for years are finally free.  The release of the hostages was accomplished without a single shot being fired.  According to Betancourt and others the Colombian military was flawless in its execution of the mission to liberate the hostages.  "Absolutely impeccable" were the words she used to describe it and she also offered praise to her former political competitor, President Alvaro Uribe. Betancourt was kidnapped by the FARC in 2002 while on a visit  to the departamento of Caquetá during her campaign for the presidency.  Many had warned her not to make this trip to an area known at the time as a stronghold of the FARC.  It remains to be seen whether the FARC can remain as a force of terror in Colombia.  Earlier this year came the death of its second in command Raúl Reyes and then more recently, its founder and commander, Manuel Marulanda.  Since Uribe was elected in 2006 some 9,000 FARC rebels have deserted.  According to Betancourt the rebels in the jungles of Colombia are starving and there is no logistical control to ensure a flow of supplies to these forces.  Many political leaders around the world are taking this opportunity to denounce the continued holding of 100's of hostages and to demand their immediate release.  We will have to see what is next, but the release of Betancourt is a great step forward towards peace in Colombia.  It would have been more encouraging, however, if Betancourt and the others had been freed voluntarily by the FARC, rather than via subterfuge.

FARC Releases Betancourt, Finally!

Today is another great day for Colombia as the military secured the release from the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia) of ex-presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages.  Among the other hostages released were three military contractors from the U.S.  The Colombian Minister of Defense, Juan Manuel Santos, explained that the 15 were released when members of the Colombian armed forces captured key members of the FARC and "convinced" them to release the hostages.  The armed forces were able to penetrate the FARC group that had been responsible for holding the largest number of hostages in the last years, a major victory for the Colombian military.  In addition the military captured and offered to authorities four members of the FARC.  The army made the decision not to attack and kill the rest of the FARC contingent in hopes that other hostages would be released in a show of good faith.  An ex-hostage, Luis Eladio Perez, told CNN en español that while he had been opposed to military action to release the hostages in fear of what could happen to the hostages in such an attack, said that he had much respect for the behavior of the Colombian military and for President Uribe in bringing about a peaceful release of Betancourt and the others.  Colombia makes another great stride towards peace.  Pura Vida Uribe!

Link to article in La Nación (in Spanish):  http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/julio/02/mundo1603085.html

Nicaragua Hopes to Increase Tourism with New Promotion Plan

The Instituto Nicaraguense de Turismo (Intur) hopes that the promotion of 220 tourist areas covering various zones of the country will help increase income from this sector to $290 millions for the year 2008, according to an article appearing in El Financiero (2-8 June 2008 edition).  Specifically the plan is to identify three to four locations in each Departamento (or state) with the potential for promotion and improvement in infrastructure to better meet tourist demand.  Specific areas include León with the largest cathedral in Central America and the home of famous poet, Ruben Darío.  In the mountainous zone areas identified include the Cliffs of Cosiguina with spectacular views of the Gulf of Fonseca. In the Central Southern zone nine sites were identified all in the Departamento of Rio San Juan.  One of the highlights of this area is the Castle of the Inmaculada for its historic significance.  In the Souther Atlantic zone there is Corn Island, especially known for its attraction to tourists from other Central American countries, specifically Costa Rica.  On Corn Island a group of Canadian investors have invested $5 million to construct a new hotel (now there are approximately 40 hotels on the island in operation).  Another goal of Intur is to exploit the countries hot mineral springs, the most known of which are in Santa Clara and Tipitapa, the latter of which is only 20 kilometers from Managua.  In the Northern zone of the Departamento of Madriz there is the canyon of Somoto, where an important geological formation was discovered in 2004 by scientists.  In 2006, the tourism sector in Nicaragua earned $230 millions and in 2007, $250 millions.  The director of Intur, Mario Salinas, stated that a study by a U.S. company determined that there is great interest in Nicaragua from tourists who want to discover more of what the country has to offer, but as of yet there exists little knowledge.

FARC Number One Dead: The Final Blow?

The founder of the FARC (Fuerzas Amadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) and its number one in command, Manuel Marulanda (known as Tirofijo), died from a heart attack the 26th of March.  Tirofijo was known as the oldest living guerrilla in the world and led the FARC for 44 years.  On the 1st of March, the second in command, Raul Reyes, was killed in a bombing campaign that placed Colombia in a diplomatic crisis with Ecuador and Venezuela.  In recent weeks, the FARC has also suffered desertions of some of its top guerrilla leaders such as Nelly Avila (alias Karina).  What does all this mean for the future of the FARC?  Is the end really near?  The Minister of Defense of Colombia thinks so.  So commented Juan Manuel Santos, stating that the FARC is living in its worst moment in the 44 years of its exitence and he believes that for the first time, the end is indeed in sight.  The Colombian Government has, in light of recent events, shown a willingness to negotiate with FARC leadersip for the release of the some 700 hostages the FARC is holding, including ex-presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.  Also, Colombian intelligence reveals that while at the outset of this decade the FARC numbered some 17,000 combatants, now that figure is down to 6,000.  Tirofijo founded the FARC group in 1964 as an insurgent marxist campasino group whose purpose was to fight for more equal wealth distribution among the rich and the poor in Colombia's agrarian countryside.  However, in recent years facts show that the FARC has become closely intertwined with the narcotics trade.

The hard-lined actions of President Uribe are paying off.  He will in the end be known, I believe, as the President that brought down the FARC.  And this should make him a hero in the eyes of the Colombian people.  The menace of the FARC has lasted long enough.  It is time for peace to reign in Colombia so the world can enjoy its unsurpassed natural beauty in safety and the Colombian people can reap the benefits.

Fractured FARC: Is the End Near?

The guerilla infamosa, Nelly Avila (alias Karina), who is considered one of the leaders of the FARC in Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia), has turned herself into authorities.  She gave assurances that the group is fractured, stating that she has had no communications with others in the hierarchy of leadership for some time.  Avila has lead the "Frente 47" commando unit since 2002.  The Colombian government had a $1 million reward for information leading to her capture.  She was thought to be the mastermind behind the 1983 assassination of current President Alvaro Uribe's father, although Avila has denied any involvement in the crime.  She was wanted for acts of homicide, terrorism, rebellion, kidnapping and extortion, among other crimes.  She is known as one of the most cruel and audacious of the FARC leadership. Hats off to President Uribe for making further headway in ridding Colombia of the menace of the FARC.

Daniel Ortega Harboring the FARC?

I read today in La Nación that Nicaraguan President, Daniel Ortega, recently granted asylum in Nicaragua to two members of the Colombian terrorist group FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionaries de Colombia).  Ortega cited "humanitarian reasons" for the act.  These two FARC members had survived the attack from the Colombian army against a FARC camp in Ecuador on March 1 of this year, which set off a diplomatic firestorm that pitted President Uribe (of Colombia) against the governments of Ecuador and, of course, Venezuela.  In that attack some 20 members of the FARC perished, including the second in command, Raúl Reyes.  The two FARC members granted asylum were young women of 21 and 24 years.  Isn't it a little amazing that the FARC recruits young women to carry out its bloodthirsty pursuits.  Everyone knows that the FARC, which began years ago as a Marxist revolutionary group, now exists primarily to protect Colombian cocaine interests.  In fact many now believe that the FARC actually controls most of the cocaine industry in Colombia.  Another assumed FARC member, Lucia Morett, has been in Nicaragua as well and is also a survivor of the March 1st attack.  The Nicaraguan government offered Morett either asylum or nationality, as she desired.  I believe the the peace loving governments of Latin America should pay close attention to the actions of Ortega.  Harboring known terrorists is not the direction most people want to see him moving in.

Link to Article in La Nación (in Spanish): http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/mayo/13/mundo1533911.html

Arriba Los Pobres del Mundo?

I recently visited Nicaragua.  I spent a couple days in Managua.  One thing I kept noticing were these huge pink posters of Daniel Ortega with arm outstreched and fist clinched with the caption "Arriba Los Pobres del Mundo."  The other thing I noticed is that tourism in Nicaragua has tons of untapped potential.  However, I believe the attitude and outlook of its people needs to soften a bit before that potential can be realized.  The idealogy of their current president, as reflected in these ubiquitous posters scattered throughout Managua, is not helping matters.  I know a little bit about Nicaraguan history.  I know that the past has been very difficult for its people, more difficult than anything I can imagine.  The future can be different, but it is up to the Nicaraguan people to create that future and it starts in the mind, in the way they think.  If they continue to think poor, they will continue to be poor.  Exactly what does Ortega have in mind with this slogan.  More revolution?  A re-distribution of wealth? A policy of take from the rich and give to the poor?  Has "revolution" so far solved Nicaragua's problems?  I believe that Nicaragua's problems will be solved by a revolution of the mind, that is, when they begin to see themselves not as "pobres del mundo" but as citizens of a country that is rich with natural beauty and as the humble, beautiful and hardworking people that they are.  They don't have to look too far south (Costa Rica) to see a country that has capitalized on its resources and has become a major world-class tourist destination that has now become one of the hottest places on the planet for foreign capital. Nicaragua can do the same, but not as long as their leaders promote resentment and victimization.  Yes I say "Arriba Nicaraguences" and start thinking like the winners you are and not like the losers that this ridiculous slogan claims that you are.

Tensions Ease in Colombian-Ecuadorian Conflict

If you have been following the news in my part of the world you should know that Colombian military recently crossed the border into Ecuador in order to attack a company of the FARC.  Eradicating the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia) has been and continues to be one of President Uribe's top priorities.  He took advantage of intelligence that indicated that the second in command of the FARC, Raul Reyes, was in this area.  In the attack Reyes and some 20 or so FARC guerrillas were killed.  Ecuador regarded this as an attack on its sovereignty and began amassing military forces along its border with Colombia.  Not to miss out on the party, Hugo Chavez (a staunch opponent of Uribe) did the same along the Venezuelen border (although this whole affair had absolutely nothing to do with Venezuela).  Both Ecuador and Venezuela broke diplomatic relations with Colombia.  Later, even Chavez crony Daniel Ortega (current Sandinista President of Nicaragua) also broke relations with Colombia.  Well everyone gathered recently in Dominica and it appears that the situation has been resolved for now.  Even though there were some heated words traded by President Uribe (Colombia) and Correa (Ecuador) in which Uribe accused Correa of being in bed with the FARC and Correa responded that this was a lie.  However, there is clear evidence that both Ecuador and Venzuela have supported the FARC in various ways. 

As for me, I defend the right of Colombia to protect its people from this terrorist group that has killed and kidnapped for decades.  Let's look at it this way, if the U.S. had intelligence that Osama Bin Laden was just across the border in Mexico do you think the U.S. government would waste a second going through diplomatic channels with Mexico before taking advantage of the opportunity to get rid of this menace once and for all?  I don't think so.  This situation is NO DIFFERENT.  In fact, the FARC has killed many more Colombian citizens than Bin Laden has American.  I am a supporter of President Uribe.  His country is one of the richest in the world in terms of natural resources, but the activities of the FARC and the Narcos (drug trafficers) that they support and protect have impeded the country's progress for far too long.  I recently visited Medellin and it is a beautiful place and the efforts of Uribe have made it more safe to travel there.  I also applaud the attitude of Uribe reflected in the following comment made during the summit in Dominica (translated into English)....

I hope the tone of today, with the exception of the tone of President Correa (Ecuador) and my own at the beginning, will endure. On my part, I am going to try to maintain this for the diginity of the people that I represent.

It is refreshing (and rare) to hear a politician admit when he is wrong.  I believe the Colombian people should be proud of the way their President represented them in this situation.

Viva Colombia!

I recently had the privilege of visiting Medellín Colombia. I can tell you that this is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever experienced. Colombia has gotten a lot of bad press over the years and Medellín has borne the brunt of much of it. Admittedly, back in the days when Pablo Escobar and his band of sicarios were wreaking havoc on the city, Medellín was probably not the safest place for a gringo to visit. As a vestige of this period, today the law requires all motorcycles drivers to wear the license number on the back of a vest in order to never have the same terrible days where Pablo’s motorcycle-riding sicarios (hit men) would gun down intended targets. But those days are thankfully long gone. I was fortunate to have a wonderful guide during my visit, my beautiful Paisa girlfriend (who now lives in Costa Rica, but whose heart is still 100% in her pueblo natal, Medellín). Medellín is located in the department of Antioquia. It has an international airport (actually located about 1 hour outside the city). The population is around 2 million and the population of the entire department of Antioquia is 5 million (second largest in the country behind Bogotá).

Places worth visiting in Medellín would certainly include the National Museum, which features many pieces from Colombia’s most famous living artist, Botero. Medellín also has an incredible elevated train system that will take you almost anywhere you want to go (the pride of the paisas and very clean and safe). Also, they have a great Metro Cable as well that will take you over the city and offer you some great views. Of course, the night life is great too. The Mangos of South Beach is a carbon copy of Mangos in Medellín and will definitely offer a night to remember. Some of the pueblos you might want to visit include Poblado, Envigado (hometown of Pablo Escobar) and Sabaneta. These offer great little outside bars where everyone gathers to drink the famous Colombian guaro known as Agua Ardiente. Also, the malls are incredible, especially the grandest in the city, Mall Tesoro.

Outside of Medellín there are some really cool places to visit. One of those is the colonial capital of Colombia, Sante Fe de Antioquia. This is a beautiful and historic city with cobblestone streets and rows of pastel colored colonial homes and beautiful churches. It is like taking a step back into the colonial days when the Spanish first colonized the country. Another great place to go is Guatapé, where you will find the mysterious Piedra del Peñol, a massive rock of 200 meters in altitude. Also in this area are the beautiful lakes known as the Represas de Guatapé. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and there are loads of activities and sightseeing in the area. There are great hotels too!

No Mas Farc!

Colombia has so much to offer that it is a shame that the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) continues to terrorize the country with armed invasions of pueblos and kidnappings (despite the recent release of some high profile hostages at the behest of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, the FACR is estimated to be holding hostage some 700 persons). The FARC now enjoys very little support in Colombia (really only the narcos want them around to help guard their coca and marijuana fields). Recently there was a world-wide condemnation of the activities of the FARC, which took place in 125 cities around the world. I pray that the FACR would give up the fight for the good of Colombia and all its citizens as well as the people around the world that would like to visit safely and experience the magic of this incredible country.