Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

May 13, 2008 7:40:50 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

Back to the grid

Rebel's Files Show Chávez Aided FARC  

Posted May 9, 08 8:09 AM CDT in World    Most Covered

(newser) – A cache of computer files found on a dead Colombian guerrilla leader's laptops implicates Hugo Chávez in arms deals with the FARC rebels. The Wall Street Journal reports that Colombian and American intelligence agencies, which came into possession of about 100 files, have no doubt of their authenticity. Both FARC and the Venezuelan president claim that they are counterfeit.

The Colombian government is now asking Interpol to examine the documents, which attest to offers of missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. They also suggest that Venezuela asked FARC for training in guerrilla tactics to prepare for a possible US invasion. FARC has been fighting the Colombian government for nearly 50 years and has held Ingrid Betancourt and others hostage since 2002.

Source Wall Street Journal

open commentscomments (0)

Editor Recommended

More on the Chavez-FARC connection
Reuters | May 9, 08

Related News

  • France Bails on Hostage Rescue Mission

    Apr 9, 08 5:35 AM CDT
    France Bails on Hostage Rescue Mission A French humanitarian team is leaving Colombia after being frustrated in its mission to aid failing hostage Ingrid Betancourt, reports the BBC. The leadership of the FARC rebels, who have held the French-Colombian presidential candidate hostage for six years, refused to allow the team to provide Betancourt with emergency medical aid. French President Nicolas Sarkozy had sent the aid workers after reports that Betancourt was seriously ill. More »

  • Sarko: Betancourt Near Death

    Apr 1, 08 3:20 PM CDT
    Sarko: Betancourt Near Death Nicolas Sarkozy today reiterated his call for FARC to free hostage Ingrid Betancourt, saying the Colombian-French politician is "in danger of imminent death," Reuters reports. After 6 years in the rebel guerrillas' custody, Betancourt reportedly began a hunger strike Feb. 23. "Free Ingrid Betancourt and the weakest hostages," the French president said in an appearance televised with Spanish subtitles. More »

  • Venezuela Tried to Arm FARC, Colombia Says

    Mar 30, 08 3:07 PM CDT
    Venezuela Tried to Arm FARC, Colombia Says Colombian officials claim to have computer files captured from its FARC rebels that indicate Venezuela sold arms to the terrorist group, the New York Times reports. If Interpol verifies the files, they would also suggest links between FARC and Ecuador’s government and provide insight into the rebel organization. Colombia nabbed the computers in a raid in Ecuador earlier this month. More »

  • Colombia Offers Swap: Hostages for Prisoners

    Mar 28, 08 10:43 AM CDT
    Colombia Offers Swap: Hostages for Prisoners After more than 6 years in captivity, Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt will go free if FARC agrees to a deal Alvaro Uribe signed off on last night, the Guardian reports. The Colombian president issued a decree saying the country will release imprisoned rebel fighters in exchange for Betancourt, a onetime presidential candidate believed to be seriously ill with hepatitis B and a tropical skin disease. More »

  • Recovered Data Links Venezuela to FARC Rebels

    Mar 12, 08 8:50 PM CDT
    Recovered Data Links Venezuela to FARC Rebels Possible links between Hugo Chavez’ Venezuelan government and the Colombian FARC guerrilla group concern Washington, but US officials aren't yet saying the nation will be declared a state sponsor of terrorism, Reuters reports. Colombia said computers seized in a March 1 raid on a FARC base in Ecuador contain evidence that proves Venezuela is aiding the leftist group. More »

Rebel's Files Show Chávez Aided FARC
Pro-government demonstrators hold a portrait of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a May Day march in Caracas, Thursday, May 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Howard Yanes)
Rebel's Files Show Chávez Aided FARC
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, greets France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner during a meeting at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Kouchner sought...   (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office, Juan Carlos Solorzano)
Rebel's Files Show Chávez Aided FARC
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talks at summit for the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, or ALBA, at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Wednesday, April 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Howard Yanes)
Rebel's Files Show Chávez Aided FARC
A march calls for the freedom of Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages held by the FARC, Sunday, April 6, 2008 in front of the National Assembly in Paris. Betancourt, who has been held hostage by the FARC...   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
prev   next
play

Threads (1 of 4)

Tags

Venezuela  • Colombia  • FARC  • Ingrid Betancourt  • Interpol  • US intelligence  • Hugo Chávez


Loading...

Loading...

Related Threads: Latin America, Hugo Chavez, Hostages in Colombia, Security & Intelligence

Next story from this section »

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »