« My first encounter with paramilitaries in action | Main | Informal recyclers murdered in Cali, but celebrated in Moravia »
July 21, 2009
Links between Ecuador's President and the FARC
Last week, a video emerged that surprised everyone, especially me. In it, 'Mono Jojoy', a top-ranking FARC military commander, mentioned that the FARC had contributed to Ecuadorean leader Rafael Correa's Presidential campaign.
First of all, it is pretty clear that the video was not falsified. There is little reason to believe that anyone would risk faking the video, which is already being analyzed by the OAS and Interpol. The images of Mono Jojoy are very clear.
Second, this is a revelation with huge international consequences. In essence, President Correa's campaign was partly funded by the hemisphere's most brutal terrorist organization (second only, perhaps, to Colombian paramilitaries), a guerrilla group that has murdered and kidnapped thousands of Colombians and has a huge role in international drug trafficking. It remains to be seen what political consequences the video will bring, but it comes at a horribly inopportune time for an already scandal-ridden Correa.
Third, there was absolutely no reason for Correa to collaborate with the FARC. He has generally been a very popular leader and it is simply idiotic not only to receive illegal campaign contributions, but to receive them from one of the most universally despised armed groups in the world.
I always thought that the Colombian government's accusations of FARC-Ecuador links were pure political theater. It is not unheard of for the current Colombian administration to use such accusations irresponsibly and dishonestly to politically discredit critics and rivals. in this case, I was wrong.
Will continue to update on this story...
Posted by Pablo Rojas at July 21, 2009 11:35 AM
