E D I T O R I A L and O P I N I O N

2/27/2013

E D I T O R I A L and O P I N I O N

Left-wing Revolutionary Groups Reign of Terror Continues

By: Jerry Brewer As if the hemisphere of the Americas does not have enough despair and grief from a multitude of political, economic, and escalating violent crime maladies; revolutionary left-wing terrorists continue their decades old and relentless campaign of terror upon governments and their people throughout Latin America. Transnational crime and its criminal organizations (TCOs) in this hemisphere also continue their own onslaught in the battle for massive US dollars and other foreign revenue with their illicit markets of drug trafficking and associated violent criminal acts that are becoming equally diverse. Even drug trafficking becomes a lucrative revenue source for the revolutionaries and an effective conduit with the TCOs for these Left-wing terrorists to sustain their fight against democratic governments. They view these governments as exploitive. corrupt, and authoritarian, and emphasize idealism, pacificism and anti-imperialism. Much of their ideology is heavily influenced by Marxist and other communist and socialist thought. As in classic terrorism, the concept of propaganda by the deed serves as an action meant to be a major sobering exemplary to others. Groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC); the National Liberation Army (ELN); and the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) in Peru continue in their respective campaigns for a much larger Latin American revolution. There are others with what is perceived as much less clout- but with deadly weapons and capabilities. The Shining Path has called for the abolition of a national market economy, industry, the banking system, and all foreign trade. The actions of the Shining Path have claimed an estimated 25,000 and 30,000 lives, of these more than 1,000 were children.

2/27/2013

Even Mexico has sustained a bloody fight of terroristic acts against the homeland, apart from the massive violence and death toll of drug smuggling and other rising rates of violent criminal acts. The Popular Revolutionary Army (EPR) a Mexican leftist guerrilla organization, has supported armed struggle against the Mexican government. Formed as a merger of 14 smaller groups, EPR's primary aim was to overthrow the government of Mexico The group (and splinters) has performed a series of coordinated attacks on police and others and continued to conduct sporadic attacks in Mexico. Following attacks against oil and gas pipelines in Mexico in July 2007, then President Felipe Caldern, deployed 5,000 special troops against the saboteurs to secure the pipelines, dams and power plants. After the attacks, the Mexican Intelligence Service (Centro de Investigacin y Seguridad Nacional) leaked a report stating that Venezuelas President Hugo Chavez was believed to be supporting the EPR with materials, armament, and training. Chvez's support for the FARC, as well as harboring of the group's leaders who have operated openly within Venezuela's borders. has been suspected for years, Chvez's ban on over-flights by U.S. planes participating in antinarcotics operations in Colombia and his government's refusal to cooperate with the US DEA have benefited the FARC. It may be no coincidence that Venezuela became a major suspected source of cocaine trafficking destined to the northern cone of Central America and beyond. Despite the FARC's murderous rampage and its once holding of Venezuelan hostages, Hugo Chvezs leftist regime confessed its direct support for and solidarity with the FARC terrorist group. During a speech before Venezuela's congress, Chvez asked that the FARC be removed from U.S. and European terrorist lists, insisting that the group "deserves recognition" as "insurgent forces that have a political project, a Bolivarian project that is respected here." The FARCs choice weaponry is the AK-47 assault rifle; among its vast armament of military-grade weapons, ordnance and crude landmines. The Hugo Chavez regime has also spent billions of dollars for Russian arms and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles- although for no reported or expressed need. Although some media reports that the FARC has fewer than 8,000 soldiers, and the second largest guerrilla army- the ELN, less than 1,500; many smaller gang-like or cellular groups of these guerrilla armies are active, as well as the main groups in continuing violence. Recently rebels in Colombia destroyed a police station during an attack on a town in the souths department of Guaviare. Kidnappings in Colombia have jumped to 345 percent in 2012; albeit no reliable statistics or sources can distinguish between revolutionary acts and common crime. FARC guerrillas ambushed authorities responding to a fire last week in the Miraflores municipality by tossing a grenade at those trying to access the flames. Attacks by rebel groups on Colombias oil infrastructure continue to increase with 14 attacks this year alone. Colombian oil supplies are being disrupted as FARC armed rebels blow up sections of oil pipeline. These attacks are believed to be aimed at hitting the economy of Colombia. Last week there was a US Embassy warning about a potential kidnapping threat in the Cuzco region of Peru; citing evidence existing of a threat from the Shining Path terrorist group. There was alleged
2

2/27/2013

discussion of kidnapping foreigners, particularly Americans. Left-wing rebel groups in Latin America are far from dead.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATES

United States of America
Jerry Brewer is C.E.O. of Criminal Justice International Associates, a global threat mitigation firm headquartered in northern Virginia. His website is located at www,cjiausa.org TWITTER:

cjiausa

BREWER Published archives