We as Americans do not see what is going on in the world. We get so caught up in our own world that we miss what major and horrific things are happening in other parts of the world. Sometimes we even see what is going on and turn our head to try to avoid it. We need to start facing the facts. This world is far from perfect.
There are civil wars going on right now that most Americans are oblivious to. Beginning in 1940, Colombia’s Armed forces and las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (which translates to the Revolutionary Army Forces of Colombia), or FARC for short, have been engaged in a civil war.
“The FARC’s primary mission is to overthrow the state (Colombian democratic government) and establish a communist-agrarian state. The FARC finances it's operations through kidnapping and ransom, extortion, and narcotics trafficking. The FARC's conventional "guerrilla" weapons include explosives, landmines and bombs camouflaged as necklaces, soccer balls, and soup cans,” says Colombia's Civil War, “By the mid-1990s, the FARC derived 65 percent of its income from narco-trafficking. With this massive revenue source, the FARC modernized its weapons and launched a military and political campaign called "the Bolivarian Movement for a New Colombia."”
The FARC became a strong defensive unit. They continue to grow throughout the ‘90s and almost take over the country itself.
“From 1996 to 1998, the FARC struck fear in the Colombian government with a series of major military victories over the national army. Most notably, the FARC overtook a military base in Las Delicias, taking dozens of Colombian troops as hostage,” says Colombia's Civil War.
By this point there is much fear in the hearts of many Colombians. Many flee the country including half of my family.
" Colombians held demonstrations and protests to urge the government to reinitiate peace talks with the FARC during the late 1990’s," says Colombia's Civil War. Colombian President Andrés Pastranahad had to come to a compromise with the radical FARC guerrilla leaders to cease fire. “He offered them a stronghold in southern Colombia which was an area comprising 42,000 sq km populated with nearly 120,000 residents,” says Colombia's Civil War, “The FARC's frequently terminated peace negotiations, claiming the Colombian military and paramilitaries were infiltrating their zone. The FARC demanded that the government recognize it as a legitimate political group, release imprisoned members and implement economic and land reforms.”
One of the largest most memorable kidnappings of the FARC was of Ingrid Betancourt.“On Feb. 23, 2002, with the peace process in total shambles, the FARC kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who wrote extensively in support of peace talks and about government corruption,” says Colombia's Civil War.
I was in Colombia in the summer of 2008 when Colombian Armed forces rescued Betancourt. It was a sight to be seen. Colombians had mass peace walks to end the civil war with the leadership of the President Alvaro Uribe.
Although there has been a push for peace in Colombia recently, it does not change the fact that there are still landmines everywhere in Colombia because of this civil war.The war still continues and children continue to lose limbs. We can help these poor children to walk again.
Like Marvin Gaye said, “War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate.”
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