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Growing Problems in Columbia Columbia has never had the greatest hype, unless you are a drug dealer. Ever since the marijuana and cocaine boom in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, Columbia has been known as the drug capital of the world. But now they have bigger problems: the possibility of war against Ecuador and Venezuela. Last Sunday March 1st, the Columbia military raided a rebel camp on the border of Ecuador and Columbia. The FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) had been terrorizing the countryside led by their military commander and icon of the FARC, Raul Reyes. According to Columbian sources, the fight broke out on the Columbian side, but when military troops were bombarded by fire on Ecuadorian lines, they advanced into the country. Apparently, Columbia warned Ecuador that they may enter into their boundary, but did not gain permission from the government of Ecuador. The bombings and fire ended after several hours and the Columbian military quickly entered the camp to clean up, and obtain Reyes’ body before any living rebels had the opportunity to do so. According to sources from Ecuador, it was a massacre. The chance of anyone living was very marginal. This incursion upset Ecuador for two main, obvious reasons. First of all, Columbia did not have the permission to fight on Ecuador’s lines, and secondly, such a strong brutal force was unnecessary to bring the rebels to a ceasefire. It encouraged the flow of frustration between Ecuador and Columbia to boil. Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa is a close ally to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and together they have decided to severe diplomatic ties with Columbia and oust their ambassadors in each country. To make things worse, the Columbian military killed a popular and much loved rebel leader, who was dubbed a modernist by most. His death will most likely incite more violence between the government and rebels who are not as moderate as Reyes. So what options does Columbia have, where can they go from here? If diplomatic talks and very strongly worded apologies do not ensue from the troubled country, they could be looking at war in the near future. One thing is for sure, the United States government looks on with a glimmer of hope that their pesky Columbian problem will be solved without spilling a drop of American blood. |
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