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Organic Fertilizer Plant Employs Former Rebels
The second of 10 planned organic fertilizer plants, which will provide employment to 300 men and women demobilized from illegal armed groups, recently opened in the city of Medellín.
The plants raise earthworms to produce solid and liquid humus, a brown or black organic substance consisting of partially or wholly decayed vegetable or animal matter that provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water.
The 2,500 square metre plant treats up to 3.5 tonnes of organic waste per day, which translates into a monthly production of 40 tonnes of solid humus and 3,000 liters of liquid humus, all of which will be purchased by Biprocol Company.
Biprocol Company is implementing the project under the coordination of Colombia's High Commission for Reintegration (ACR), with technical support from IOM, and funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Mayor's Office of Medellín.
The employees receive government assistance for education, health care and psychosocial support, while they are training to become technicians in earthworm raising.
At the plant's opening ceremony, Andrés Gonzalez, General Manager of Biprocol, said he is proud that the private sector, the government and international organizations have a chance to work together to create employment for Colombians who believe in contributing to a peaceful country.
The Presidential High Commissioner for Reintegration, Frank Pearl, added that these joint endeavours lead to the successful economic reintegration of demobilized persons who need support in order to fully reintegrate and become autonomous citizens.
From November 2003 to August 2006, more than 31,000 members of the illegal self-defense groups had demobilized as a result of a peace process with the Colombian government. IOM provides its support to the government of Colombia for the reintegration process of these men and women as they transition into civilian life.
The other plants are planned for the cities of Montería, Sincelejo, Valledupar, Cartagena and Pereira.
For more information visit www.oim.org.co and http://biprocol.com/ The second of 10 planned organic fertilizer plants, which will provide employment to 300 men and women demobilized from illegal armed ... more -
Chavez party seeks changes for 3rd term
Venezuela's ruling party pledged Thursday to seek to reform the nation's constitution to let President Hugo Chavez seek indefinite re-election.
Proposed changes to end the two-term limit for presidents will be presented to Congress or the National Electoral Council and ultimately to voters after state and municipal elections now scheduled for November, said Freddy Bernal, a leader of Chavez's United Socialist Party.
"The purpose of this amendment is to ask the country if they want or don't want the re-election of President Hugo Chavez," Bernal said in a televised interview. "If we want peace, tranquility and development in the country, Hugo Chavez must continue being president."
Chavez, who was first elected in 1998, is barred from running again when his term expires in 2013. Venezuela's ruling party pledged Thursday to seek to reform the nation's constitution to let President Hugo Chavez seek inde... more -
Colombia misused Red Cross emblem in hostage rescue
Colombia misused the symbol of the Red Cross in this month's military rescue of politician Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other rebel-held hostages, it said on Wednesday, admitting a possible violation of the rules of war.
Falsely portraying military personnel as Red Cross members is against the Geneva Conventions as it could put humanitarian workers at risk when they are in war zones.
Rebel leaders were duped into handing over their most prized hostages in the operation, which highlighted the success of Uribe's U.S.-backed offensive against the guerrillas.
But the use of the Red Cross symbol takes some of the shine off the mission. Colombia misused the symbol of the Red Cross in this month's military rescue of politician Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other rebel-h... more -
Colombian military used Red Cross emblem in rescue
Colombian military intelligence used the Red Cross emblem in a rescue operation in which leftist guerrillas were duped into handing over 15 hostages, according to unpublished photographs and video viewed by CNN.
Photographs of the Colombian military intelligence-led team that spearheaded the rescue, shown to CNN by a confidential military source, show one man wearing a bib with the Red Cross symbol. The military source said the three photos were taken moments before the mission took off to persuade the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels to release the hostages to a supposed international aid group for transport to another rebel area.
Such a use of the Red Cross emblem could constitute a "war crime" under the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law and could endanger humanitarian workers in the future, according to international legal expert Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Association.
"It is clear that the conventions are very strict regarding use of the symbol because of what it represents: impartiality, neutrality. The fear is that any misuse of the symbol would weaken that neutrality and would weaken the [Red Cross]," Ellis said.
"If you use the emblem in a deceitful way, generally the conventions say it would be a breach. [Based on the information as explained to me,] the way that the images show the Red Cross emblem being used could be distinguished as a war crime, " he added.
The unpublished video and photos of the mission, hailed internationally as a daring success, were shown to CNN by a military source looking to sell the material. CNN declined to buy the material at the price being asked; it was therefore unable to verify the authenticity of the images.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and his top generals have categorically denied that international humanitarian symbols were used in the July 2 rescue mission that freed the prized hostages, who included former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three U.S. military contractors and 11 Colombian police and soldiers.
The hostages had endured years of harsh captivity and deprivation in jungle camps since being captured or kidnapped. Some were held for as long as 10 years.
The rescue ruse also included bogus communications, sent electronically and by human couriers, to convince FARC rebels that superiors were ordering them to hand over hostages to the group posing as aid workers for transfer to another rebel camp.
On Monday, government and military spokesmen reiterated that all logos and emblems used in the operation had been invented and that no genuine symbols had been used.
Misuse of the Red Cross emblem is governed by articles 37, 38 and 85 of Additional Protocol One to the Geneva Conventions, the international rules of war. The articles prohibit "feigning of protected status by the use of ... emblems" of neutral parties and say that such misuses are considered breaches of international humanitarian law that qualify as a "war crime."
Colombia signed the Geneva Conventions in 1949.
That prohibition was put in place to protect the neutrality of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations in an armed conflict and to guarantee their access to all sides. Use of those emblems by one side of a conflict, for example, could endanger aid workers because those on another side might no longer trust that symbols they see really represent those humanitarian organizations.
An ICRC spokesman in Bogota said the organization had been in "an ongoing confidential dialogue" with the Colombian government about the report that the emblem may have been used in the operation.
Among the photos shown to CNN are some bearing a date stamp of July 2, taken at an unidentified landing site in the jungle alongside a farm house. Colombian military intelligence used the Red Cross emblem in a rescue operation in which leftist guerrillas were duped into handing ov... more -
Betancourt speaks: FARC captivity 'was hell'
Ingrid Betancourt says death was her "everyday companion" during the six years she was a hostage of a leftist rebel group in Colombia.
"I really couldn't even imagine that I was taking the road for seven years," she told CNN's "Larry King Live." "For me, I thought perhaps it could last for three months at the most. I couldn't imagine what was going to come." Ingrid Betancourt says death was her "everyday companion" during the six years she was a hostage of a leftist rebel group in... more -
Ingrid Betancourt...Stockholm Syndrome Anyone?
It’s not an unusual occurrence for hostages after their release to show signs of loyalty or compassion toward their hostage-takers - the psychological response more famously known as the Stockholm syndrome.
It can’t have escaped the attention of anyone the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages from the grips of the Colombian FARC after countless years of captivity in the jungle. Now that they are free, the question remains…any signs of the mysterious Stockholm syndrome emerging?
To read more go to http://www.thomasonlatinamerica.blogspot.com It’s not an unusual occurrence for hostages after their release to show signs of loyalty or compassion toward their hostage-takers - t... more -
Fidel Castro in Farc hostage plea
He said he had energetically criticised the "cruel methods of kidnapping and holding prisoners in the jungle".
But at the same time, Mr Castro added the rebel movement should not lay down its weapons. He said he had energetically criticised the "cruel methods of kidnapping and holding prisoners in the jungle". ... more -
The end of FARC
Los Angeles Times reports:
"The Colombian military's spectacular rescue of 15 hostages Wednesday, including Franco-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt and three American military contractors, will go down in history as a marvel of military cunning and brilliant execution. Most noteworthy is that the soldiers, disguised as rebels, duped the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia into turning the hostages over without bloodshed."
"Colombia rejoiced as did France, where freeing Betancourt -- a former Colombian legislator with dual citizenship -- had become a cause celebre. The faces of the American contractors -- Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes -- are less well known, but their freedom brings joy to all who prayed for their release during five years of captivity." Los Angeles Times reports: ... more -
Video shows liberation of Betancourt and other hostages
The Colombian government has released some very compelling video of the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages from the FARC rebels.
Amazing that this plan worked, and even more amazing that it is on video. The Colombian government has released some very compelling video of the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages from the FAR... more -
A new future for Colombia?
Colombian BBC News viewers believe that the release of Ingrid Betancourt could result in some form of negotiation between the Colombian government and the FARC rebels. Do you think this 44-year-old conflict can see an end in the near future?
On an added note, the guy in the picture is not only relevant but also looks awesome. Colombian BBC News viewers believe that the release of Ingrid Betancourt could result in some form of negotiation between the Colombia... more -
Betancourt libera, premio Oscar ad Uribe.
Liberazione Ingrid Betancourt. Sembra uno sceneggiato degno di Hollywood il piano messo appunto dal ministro della Difesa colombiano Santos: un infiltrato nelle Farc e nessuno sparo durante la liberazione. Prestando fede alla versione diffusa dal Governo di Bogotà, sembrerebbe che le Farc non godano più di quella organizzazione strategica ed infallibile che fino ad oggi ha connotato il gruppo di combattenti rivoluzionari.
A sorpresa giungono anche le dichiarazione della Betancourt che, dinanzi a telecamere e microfoni, ha ringraziato il governo di Uribe e l'esercito prendendo chiaramente le distanze dalle sue note posizioni di dialogo e patteggiamento con i combattenti rivoluzionari. Liberazione Ingrid Betancourt. Sembra uno sceneggiato degno di Hollywood il piano messo appunto dal ministro della Difesa colombiano S... more -
Liberata Ingrid Betancourt
Liberata Ingrid Betancourt dopo sei anni di prigionia nella giungla in mano ai guerriglieri delle FARC. Insieme all'ex candidata presidenziale sono tornati in libertà altri 11 prigionieri. Liberata Ingrid Betancourt dopo sei anni di prigionia nella giungla in mano ai guerriglieri delle FARC. Insieme all'ex candidata ... more
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Colombia rescues Betancourt and Americans
Former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three American hostages have been released by FARC rebels.
According to Colombian authorities, all the rescued hostages are in reasonably good health. Former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three American hostages have been released by FARC rebels. ... more -
Chávez to FARC: quit it
In what some are calling a 'surprising turnaround,' Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has reportedly urged the Colombian guerrilla movement, FARC, to release hundreds of hostages, ceasefire and put an end to to their almost 50-year campaign to overthrow Colombia's government.
Speaking on his weekly television and radio program, Mr. Chávez, said the group's efforts to overthrow Colombia's democratically elected government were unjustified. Claiming that the FARC were "out of step" and that the "the guerrilla war is history." In what some are calling a 'surprising turnaround,' Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has reportedly urged the Colombian guer... more -
Colombia: FARC rebels vow to continue fight the government
Colombia's largest rebel group pledged Sunday to carry on in its decades-long war against the U.S.-backed government after confirming that the group's legendary commander had died of natural causes. The Defense Ministry had said the day before that Manuel Marulanda, who led one of the world's oldest insurgencies in a brutal if quixotic battle against the state, had died in March.
"With immense sadness, we inform that our commander in chief, Manuel Marulanda Vélez, died March 26 of a heart attack in the arms of his companion and surrounded by his personal guard," Rodrigo "Timochenko" Londoño, one of seven members of the guerrilla directorate, said in a video provided to a Venezuelan state television station, Telesur. "Our struggle continues without rest until we reach the objective of a new Colombia, a great Latin American fatherland and socialism."
The announcement closes a long chapter in the history of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and raises the possibility that the new rebel leadership may consider peace negotiations in the face of a military offensive that has recently resulted in the deaths of top commanders and the desertions of thousands of fighters. Colombia's largest rebel group pledged Sunday to carry on in its decades-long war against the U.S.-backed government after confir... more -
FARC's leader is dead
Colombia's government says the founder and chief commander of the FARC rebel group has died.
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FARC leader is dead, Colombia says
The leader of Colombia's largest leftist rebel group is dead, a spokesman for the nation's defense ministry said Saturday.
Pedro Antonio Marin, known as Manuel Marulanda Vilez and nicknamed Tirofijo, is believed to have died of a heart attack, ministry spokesman Juan Manuel Santos said.
"He must be in hell," Santos told a reporter from Semana magazine.
Marulanda, who was believed to be in his late 70s, has led the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, for decades.
"The information that we have is that he has gone already," he added. Asked whether he was saying that Marulanda had died, Santos said, "That's what a source who has never failed us tells us."
Speaking later, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe stopped short of saying Marulanda is dead, but he also said that the news comes from a reliable source.
"I hope so," he said of Marulanda's reported death.
Santos said that the Colombian military had bombed three areas where Marulanda was believed to be around the time of his death but that the fighting was not believed to have killed him.
Santos said Marulanda may have been replaced as leader by Alfonso Cano, a longtime ideologue for the group.
Uribe, who was speaking at a town hall-style meeting, also said his government is creating a reward fund of up to $100 million for rebel soldiers who leave FARC.
He also said he's working on a way to grant former rebels what he called "conditional freedom" -- suggesting that they'd receive some form of amnesty for criminal acts.
The president said his government has been contacted by FARC members who apparently want to leave the group but fear for their safety.
He did not say whether the fighters were high-level or rank-and-file members, but said they had expressed a willingness to release some of the hundreds of hostages that FARC is believed to be holding in the jungles along the border of Colombia and Ecuador.
Established as the military wing of the Colombian Communist Party in 1964, FARC is Colombia's oldest, largest and best-equipped Marxist rebel group, according to the U.S. Department of State. Several nations, including the United States, classify it as a terrorist group. FARC has been embroiled in a complex guerilla conflict with the Colombian government and right-wing paramilitary groups working in tandem with the government.
The group has defended the taking of hostages, including ailing former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, as a legitimate technique in the conflict, although nations including the United States consider it a terrorist organization.
As the group's leader, Marulanda was the ultimate decision maker who decided to approve the FARC's expanded efforts into cocaine trafficking, according to the U.S. State Department. The leader of Colombia's largest leftist rebel group is dead, a spokesman for the nation's defense ministry said Saturday. ... more -
FARC top commander confirmed dead, rebels to "release hostages"
"Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Saturday he has received "calls" from some Marxist FARC rebel leaders who claimed they were ready to hand themselves over and free hostages including Franco-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt.
In a potentially major breakthrough, just after Colombia confirmed the death of FARC leader Manuel Marulanda, Uribe said "the government has received calls from the FARC in which some of the leaders announced their decision to leave the FARC and hand over Ingrid Betancourt if their freedom is guaranteed."
"The government's answer is 'yes, they are guaranteed freedom'" if they handed over hostages, Uribe said in a speech in the country's southwest". "Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Saturday he has received "calls" from some Marxist FARC rebel leaders who claime... more -
Colombia's Farc leader 'dead' says military
The leader of Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc, has died, the military has claimed in a statement.
A national news magazine had earlier reported the death of Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda on 26 March, citing the defence minister, Juan Manuel Santos.
There has been no confirmation from guerrilla sources. The top rebel commander's death has been rumoured and disproved several times in the past. But correspondents say the death would be a big blow to the Farc if confirmed.
Mr Marulanda, whose real name is Pedro Antonio Marin, has led the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, since its foundation in 1964.
He is thought to be 78 years old and there have been persistent rumours of ill health, including evidence that suggested he had prostate cancer.
Mr Manuel Santos said reports from guerrillas suggested Mr Marulanda died of a heart attack, although he also told the Semana news magazine that three bombing raids had targeted the rebel chief on the date in question. The leader of Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc, has died, the military has claimed in a statement. ... more -
FARC top commander dead
The leader of Colombia's largest rebel group, the FARC, has died, the military has claimed in a statement.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia have been engaged in an armed struggle against the government for 40 years. Their aim is a Marxist revolution and some commentators believe FARC could now break up.
They are known to finance their operations through the lucrative drugs trade in the country which produces 80 per cent of the world's cocaine. The leader of Colombia's largest rebel group, the FARC, has died, the military has claimed in a statement. ... more
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