Flashes on the Horizon

I look out the window of my night bus and see flashes on the horizon. I dont see lightning but I sometimes hear the thunder. It is not just this 16 hour bus ride that I have seem them but I have also seem them on others. This reminds me of the confrontation between FARC and the militiary. You occasionally hear about things happening but you will probably never see anything.

Of the cities I have visited thus far there has been a large military presence. Grand, contemporary, military sculptures are ubiquitous and so are billboards recruiting the young through the use of a military mascot. Apparently there is an invisible war going on in these cities. This war is not televised and skirmishes do not make the domestic or international media. The armed sector of FARC has become quite small and has been pushed into the north, near the lawless Darien Gap, and the south within the jungles bordering Venezuala.

Sometimes you will hear stories from other travelers about their bus being stopped by FARC in FARC areas. The result is that they let the bus go or, in rarity these days, tell everyone to get off with their belongings so they can torch it. From there you hope another bus comes along soon to pick you up!

Originally FARC was comprised of ideological intellectuals whose aim was to assist the rural poor in getting a larger cut. Unfortunately, they moved into the coca production for cocaine which gave international powers the legitimacy to intervene. International funding for the ´War on Drugs´ and the training of the Colombian military by international powers sealed FARC´s fate. FARC became desperate and resorted to political kidnappings and car bombs. In this way they lost the hearts and minds of most people and may soon fade into history.

(´Escopetarra´ - a decomissioned AK47 now used to make music. A symbol of non-violence in Colombia)

History in Latin America has often been kind to the military. People have tried to retain power and control by building expansive armies. With the right combination of having a bloated military which must be pleased and Latin American brand corruption, it is only time before large armies assert control. Hopefully, Colombia can defy history and not be sliced by their own sword which is depleting FARC.

For the time being, Colombians go on with their lives as if nothing is happening. Many of them hear about FARC but will never encounter them. I suppose they are tired of caring and worrying. Sometimes its best to just sit at the beach and eat ice cream.