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La Violencia in Colombia
The transfer of power in 1946 ignited tensions between the Liberal and Conservative parties, resulting in violent political conflict. Violence threatened the political system. A democratically elected administration became repressive and dictatorial. During this barbaric time, there were over 200,000 deaths.
(source) http://www.latinamericanstudies.org -
Plan Lazo "Lasso"
President Eisenhower sent a survey team to Colombia to investigate the political situation in Colombia. As a result the U.S. decided to help Colombia in counter-insurgency doctrines. This aid included counter-guerrilla, civic action programs, and commucation network training.
(source) Guerrillas, Bandits, and Independent Republics: US Counter-insurgency Efforts in Colombia 1959-1965 (Book) -
Operation Marquetalia
Operation Marquetalia was a military campaign launched by the Colombian armed forces, and advised by the U.S. military. It was the first such attack by the Colombian government against regions which were ruled by guerrilla bands in defiance of central authority.
(source) http://en.citizendium.org -
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia is Formed
The terrorist group FARC (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) is formed by survivors of Operation Marquetalia. FARC's current strength is estimated at 12,000 to 18,000 persons, approximately 25% of which are children forcibly enlisted.
(source) www.nytimes.com -
Dutch Consul is Kidnapped
A 55-year-old Canadian native, businessman, and honorary Dutch consul in Cali, Colombia, Eric Leupin was kidnapped at his timber farm by 30 members of FARC. They demanded $1 million U.S. dollar ransom and the release of a FARC imprisoned member, but authorities refused to negotiate. Leupin was released a year later.
(source) The Encyclopedia of Kidnappings (Book) -
Nationwide State of Siege
President Alfonso Lopez Michelsen imposes a national state of siege, amid heightened violence between left-wing rebels (FARC) and goverment troops that has prompted repeated curfews and martial law since the beginning of the year.
(source) uca.edu -
UP is Formed
The Patriotic Union or UP was a leftist Colombian political party founded by the FARC and the Colombian Communist Party in 1985, as part of the peace negotiations that the guerrillas held with the conservative administration. The party was subject to political violence from drug lords, paramilitaries and rogue military agents during the mid-1980s, leading to its eventual decline and virtual disappearance.
(source) en.citizendium.org -
La Gabarra Massacre
Near the Colombian village of La Gabarra, the FARC massacred members of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Right-winged paramilitary group) to gain control of the territory which they used for cultivation and processing of coca (cocaine plant). Some 35-43 people were massacred.
(source) www.terra.com -
Bojayá Massacre
In the Colombian town of Bojayá, FARC guerrillas seized the town in an attempt to take control of the Atrato River region, in the process killing approximately 119 and wounding another 98 civilians. A large number of the dead and wounded were children.
(source) www.cnn.com -
Colombia seizes two tons of Farc rebel cocaine
Colombian military took control of a drug lab believed to belong to FARC. It is believed to be a part of a camp that could house 20 troops. Farc rebels rely heavily on the cocaine trade to finance their five-decade-long campaign against the Colombian state.
(source) www.bbc.co.uk/news/
