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The Formation of FARC
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or more commonly known as FARC, is a communist terrorist group. They formed in order to take over the democratic Colombian governement and replace it with a communist Colombian government. They are also seeking territorial control within Colombia. The current leader of FARC is Rodrigo London, who is pictured to the left. There are about 12,000 members in FARC today. -
A Change in Tactics
A major shift in the way FARC fought changed drastically. Before this change, FARC was limited to rural areas and small-scale confrontations with the Colombian Military Forces. But once this change happened, FARC's troops expanded which lead to large-scale attacks. While these changes were occuring, fighters were sent to Vietnam and Soviet Union for advanced military tranning. -
Colombian Government Wants Kidnappings to Stop.
In 1984 during the peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC, the Colombian governement wanted FARC to stop the kidnappings of political leaders, citizens, and governement officals. Kidnapping and demanding money for the return of said people was also a way FARC got their money. -
Drug Trading begins to Equal More Money
FARC was becoming increasingly known for trafficking drugs. In the 1980's FARC was not as involved in this as they are now. They got money by producing goods in the areas that they had control over. In exchange for having workers make things for them, they protected them and gave them law and order. But in the 90's FARC's income became more and more depended on the drug trade. -
President of Colombia Wants to Make Peace
President at the time, Andres Pastrana, gave FARC a 42,000 kilometer "safe haven" which was meant to serve as a confidence building measure. This was located around the San Vicente del Caguan settlement. -
United States Begins to get Involved
Local members of FARC kill U.S. based indigenous rights activists that were there working with the U'Wa who were building a school for U'Wa children and were also fighting against encroachment of U'Wa territory. This attack led to many people questioning the killings and condemed by others which led to the United States pressuring the Pastrana administration to crack down on FARC. -
The Peace Quickly Ended
After the peace talks began, FARC still continued to terrorise people of Coloumbia. They hijakced a plane, arrested The three Irish men, know now as the, "Coloumbia Three", kidnappings of sevreal political figures, FARC militants were caught in the process of tranning on how to create bombs and attacks on several towns and cities. This led to the Andres Pastrana ending the peace talks and ordering the Coloumbian military to take back the land given to FARC. -
Death of "Mono Jojoy"
Víctor Julio Suárez Roja or more commonly knonw as "Mono Jojoy" was killed by Colombian foreces during an operation. "Mono Jojoy" was the leader of FARC at the time. This lead to FARC stating that "defeating the group would not bring peace to Colombia", then they ordered for a negotion to be performed, not a surrendor. -
Death of Alfonso Cano
FARC leader Alfonso Cano was killed by Colombian troops while in a firefight. FARC's response to the death of Alfonso Cano was them kill two police in the cities of Suarez and Jambaló. -
Ceasefire Comes To An End...Again.
Peace talks started back up again on November 19th of last year. On January 20th, said peace talks ended. FARC ended the ceasefire due to the Coloumbian Governement not joining the truce. Juan Manuel Santos, president of Colombia never agreed to a ceasefire from the start and he also said that the colombian military would still be on duty.
