Denying Terror to Terrorists

Around 5 million Colombians in their home country and abroad in cities around the world staged rallies against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia [FARC]) on Monday, February 4. The FARC are a terrorist organization of Marxist-Leninist inspiration funded by narcotrafficking and kidnappings responsible for decades of atrocities including the systematic targeting of civilians. The theme of the demonstrations was “No mas FARC (No more FARC).”

Humane Social Networking vs. Murderous Socialist Guerrillas

The massive repudiation of the FARC, who remain a left-wing cause-celebre in many parts of the world, was the result of a virtual protest begun on social-networking website Facebook by a young Colombian named Oscar Morales. The group he created, “Un Millon de Voces Contra las FARC (One Million Voices Against the FARC)” exploded in popularity, tapping into widespread outrage over the rebels’ murders and crimes. An organization called “Colombia Soy Yo (I Am Colombia)” has grown from the demonstrations.

Young Colombians and Venezuelans prefer Republics to Revolutions

Colombian patriotism has also rallied in response to Hugo Chavez’s vocal support for the rebels. The Venezuelan leader’s public diplomacy is in addition to the cash and safe haven he provides to the Marxist guerillas in the same fashion as Cuba’s Fidel Castro has for decades. A similar web-savvy and youth-based movement emerged in Venezuela last year to protest Chavez’s media censorship and increasing control of all aspects of Venezuelan society.

Widely Popular, Deeply Conservative: Law over Lawlessness, Order over Anarchy

The establishment of the rule of law in a state’s territory is a fundamental task for any government, but may be considered especially related to the conservative enterprise in so far as its success is usually the foundation for that society’s future development and progress. Moses was revered among the Ancient Hebrews and today among Jews and Christians as the Lawgiver who set his people under God’s statutes; Ferdinand and Isabel famously forged the first nation-state, Christian Spain, out of a territory riddled with allegiances to Islam; and the reunification of Germany after the Fall of the Berlin Wall will forever be remembered as the end to a long nightmare of barbarity lived by the German people.

Hope for Colombia

The efforts of President Alvaro Uribe and the Colombian government to consolidate rule over their territory may well have rescued Colombia from becoming a failed state. A continued commitment to security, order, and constitutional liberty may help Colombia emerge as a great Latin American success story. The creation of legitimate political jurisdictions is the stuff civilized societies are made of. Let us hope tomorrow’s Colombians look back on the early years of the 21st Century as the moment when peace was reborn.

References and Links in this Post

1. International Herald Tribune. “Facebook brings protest to Colombia.” By Maria Camila Perez. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/08/business/protest11.php

2. Global Security. “Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia: Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC.” http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/farc.htm

3. Voice of America. “Thousands Kidnapped in Colombia in Last Decade.” By Zulima Palacio. http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-06-voa42.cfm

4. Human Rights Watch. “Maiming the People: Guerrilla Use of Antipersonnel Landmines and other Indiscriminate Weapons in Colombia.” http://hrw.org/reports/2007/colombia0707/

5. Associated Press. Colombia Marches Against Rebels. By Toby Muse. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jaQzRaBaqJHe32txpk0LvbtZEIWwD8UJNAQ80

6. El Tiempo. “Millones marcharon contra las FARC.” http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/2008-02-03/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3943495.html

7. Facebook. http://www.facebook.com

8. Un Millon de Voces Contra las FARC. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6684734468

9. Colombia Soy Yo. “A Million Voices Against FARC.” http://www.colombiasoyyo.org/texto_english.html

10. Colombia Soy Yo. http://www.colombiasoyyo.org/

11. Agence France Presse. “Colombia protests Chavez’ support for FARC rebels.” http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i0U2voViHBZEVZrBidG7JSmcyg3Q

12. El Pais. “El narcosantuario de las FARC.” By John Carlin. http://www.elpais.com/articulo/reportajes/narcosantuario/FARC/elpepusocdmg/20071216elpdmgrep_1/Tes

13. Christian Science Monitor. “Venezuela’s students lead anti-Chavez charge.” By Sara Miller Llana. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1128/p01s09-woam.html