Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez · May, 2008

Latest posts by Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez from May, 2008

Colombia: FARC Leader “Sureshot” is Confirmed Dead

  30 May 2008

After countless false claims of the death of the FARC's top leader Manuel Marulanda Vélez aka "Sureshot," the Colombian government confirmed that he passed away in March of natural causes. Colombian bloggers were quick to react and provide their thoughts on what this means for the future of the guerrilla group, the future presidential elections, and Sureshot's legacy.

Colombia: FARC Laptops Reveal Ties to Politicians and Foreign Governments

  28 May 2008

The laptops found in the FARC guerrilla camps were sent to Interpol for independent analysis. The findings, which were leaked to the press, reveal some disturbing ties to foreign governments and some Colombian politicians. However, some Colombian bloggers think that the leaked information has become too political in nature and that one should not necessarily jump to conclusions based on the leaked information.

Colombia: Paramilitary Leaders Extradited to the United States

  26 May 2008

In Colombia, 14 demobilized paramilitary bosses were recently extradited to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking. Bloggers in Colombia discuss how this might affect the current political situation in the country and how much the jailed individuals might reveal now that they have very little incentive to keep silent.