Preocupada
Saturday morning brought rejoicing and high hopes for the long awaited peace in Colombia after the news that Raúl Reyes, a high ranking commander of the FARC, had been killed. Jenny was literally bouncing around the apartment as we were glued to the news and truly thought that only good things would come from it. However our excitement was short lived as the tables turned and tensions emerged between Ecuador and Venezuela.
The situation has now escalated beyond belief and everyone can feel the tension. Chávez and Correa have deployed troops to the border, have expelled ambassadors, and shut down embassies. Venezuela has stopped all trade with Colombia, which is hurting thousands of businesses in Colombia and people in Venezuela as trucks filled with milk and meat are waiting to cross the border.
Chávez has been accused of giving 300 million to the FARC, while the Ecuadorian president has been accused of having meetings and offering support with FARC leaders. Both countries are allowing the FARC to hop the border and receive sanctuary and President Uribe is threatening to file suits with the International Criminal Court against Chávez for harboring terrorists.
The dispute seems to be carving up the hemisphere, with Chávez, Correa, Nicaragua and the rest of South America pitted against Colombia, the U.S. and most of Central America. What I'm having trouble wrapping my head around (aside from what is going to happen if the problem continues to escalate...) is why the hell any of the countries would want to be helping the FARC. The long awaited peace in Colombia, who's bloody history with this conflict has caused so much pain to this entire country, would be good for everyone.
Colombia has come so far in the past decade in terms of improving safety, changing the image of the country, and restoring a strong sense of nationalism. The economy has been improving and everyone thought things were headed in the right direction to set Colombia up for a better and brighter, more peaceful future. Why does the pigheaded, big mouthed, all talk and no action Chávez have to go and threaten everything these people are working towards?
The situation has now escalated beyond belief and everyone can feel the tension. Chávez and Correa have deployed troops to the border, have expelled ambassadors, and shut down embassies. Venezuela has stopped all trade with Colombia, which is hurting thousands of businesses in Colombia and people in Venezuela as trucks filled with milk and meat are waiting to cross the border.
Chávez has been accused of giving 300 million to the FARC, while the Ecuadorian president has been accused of having meetings and offering support with FARC leaders. Both countries are allowing the FARC to hop the border and receive sanctuary and President Uribe is threatening to file suits with the International Criminal Court against Chávez for harboring terrorists.
The dispute seems to be carving up the hemisphere, with Chávez, Correa, Nicaragua and the rest of South America pitted against Colombia, the U.S. and most of Central America. What I'm having trouble wrapping my head around (aside from what is going to happen if the problem continues to escalate...) is why the hell any of the countries would want to be helping the FARC. The long awaited peace in Colombia, who's bloody history with this conflict has caused so much pain to this entire country, would be good for everyone.
Colombia has come so far in the past decade in terms of improving safety, changing the image of the country, and restoring a strong sense of nationalism. The economy has been improving and everyone thought things were headed in the right direction to set Colombia up for a better and brighter, more peaceful future. Why does the pigheaded, big mouthed, all talk and no action Chávez have to go and threaten everything these people are working towards?
posted by Lindsey at
1:20 PM
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