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Beginnings of FARC
FARC's formation in 1964 resulted from government agression toward peasants in Colombia in the 1930s. The peasants formed small guerrilla groups to oppose mistreatment. The resistence became known as "La Violencia" and embodied Marxst ideas. The groups merged to form FARC in an attempt to replace the US backed Colombia with a communist Colombia. Formation Link -
FARC Narco-Trafficking
Beginning the in the 1980s, FARC began taking control of cocoa fields, a key component in the cocaine industry. It has since progressed to be the largest trafficker of narcotics in Colombia. Through production and smuggling of its own and taxation of other manufacturors, narcotics account for $1 billion US dollars, 78% of FARC's overall income. FARC Narcotics Link -
La Uribe Peace Accords
In 1984, the Colombian government under President Belisario Betancur agreed to the La Uribe accords which brought a cease-fire with FARC. Under the accords, FARC was acknowledged as a legitimate political party, the Unión Patriótica (UP). These accords lasted until 1987 when FARC resumed fighting. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/latin_america/colombia/players_farc.html -
Second Round of Peace Talks
Beginning in June of 1991 and continuing through March of 1992, more peace talks occurred between FARC and the Colombian government under President César Gaviria in Caracas, Venezuela and Tlaxcala, Mexico. The two sides failed to reach any agreements and fighting continued. http://yalejournal.org/2012/07/colombia-and-farc-will-the-internal-conflict-reach-an-end/ -
FARC Attacks Las Delicias Military Base
Las Delicias Military Base went under seige by approximately 600 FARC rebels in a surprise night attack in which thirty Colombian soldiers were killed and another sixty were kidnapped as hostages. Fighting lasted for fifteen hours until the base was completely destroyed. http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/16686-santos-military-las-delicias.html -
Third Round of Peace Talks
Beginning in 1999 and lasting until 2002, President Andres Pastrana conducted peace talks with FARC officials in several locations including Los Pozos, Colombia and a designated demilitarized zone. No cease-fire occurred; however, the Colombian government did grant FARC control over most of southern Colombia, giving FARC contol of about 50% of Colombia's territory. http://www.abcolombia.org.uk/subpage.asp?subid=312 -
FARC kidnaps Ingrid Betancourt
Senator Ingrid Betancourt, Presidential Candidate for the Green party in Colombia, was kidnapped by FARC in the former demilitarized zone while she was campaigning there. The kidnapping made world headlines as an illustration of FARC's policy of kidnapping for ransom. She was rescued July 2, 2008 along with four Americans and eleven Colombians. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7486552.stm -
Bojayá Massacre
FARC guerrilla forces overan the town of Bojayá, Colombia while flushing out Colombian troops. FARC, using both guns and gas cylinder bombs, murdered 119 innocent civilians as a demonstration of their power and to inflict fear. http://www.wola.org/commentary/tenth_anniversary_of_bojaya_massacre -
Hugo Chavez's Support for FARC is Revealed
FARC official Raúl Reyes dies in a Colombian military operation. Files on his computer give evidence that Colombian dictator Hugo Chavez has supported FARC by supplying them with weapons, helping to organize kidnappings, and allowing for cocaine to be exported through Venezuela. Chavez opposes the US. http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/07/14/the-farc-narco-terrorism-and-hugo-chavez -
Manuel Marulanda Vélez Dies
The original founder of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, Manuel Murlanda Vélez, died of a heart attack on this date in a mountainous hideout. Born in Pedro Antonio Marín, a coffee farming village, Marulanda was a youth who fought in the guerrilla groups during "La Violencia" and was the man behind the formation of FARC. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/world/americas/26marulanda.html?_r=0 -
Fourth Peace Talks Begin in Oslo, Norway
Peace talks between current Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos, and FARC are scheduled to begin on October 15th with a news conference scheduled for October 17th. The Colombian government refused a cease-fire leading up to the talks, but both sides are confident the talks will be a success. Current Peace Talks Link
