Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Chavez Linked to Columbian Drug Trade

FARC guerrillas run cocaine through Venezuela

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2008 2:19 PM CST

(Newser) – Hugo Chavez recently grabbed headlines by brokering the release of two women held hostage by FARC, Colombia's guerrilla rebels. But Chavez was no neutral mediator: FARC operates openly in Venezuela, and even hand-in-hand with government agencies, both to wage war in Colombia and smuggle Colombian... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Guardian (UK) (Source Grid »)

FARC plans to release more hostages
BBC

Chavez plans to sway Colombian politics
Spero News

World

Venezuela • cocaine • Colombia • smuggler • drug cartel • FARC • Hugo Chávez

More Newser Stories

US Slaps Sanctions on Chavez Aides

3 charged with backing FARC drug runners, as tensions mount

(NEWSER) - Escalating the diplomatic crisis with Venezuela, the US has frozen the assets of three members of Hugo Chavez's inner circle it accuses of having links with drug-running Colombian rebels, the Wall Street Journal reports. The sanctions follow the expulsion by Venezuela and Bolivia of their US ambassadors—a move the State Department slammed yesterday as a "weak and desperate" attempt to distract restive citizens. More»

Rebel's Files Show Chávez Aided FARC

Laptops point to arms deals, training accords with Colombian rebels

(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. More»

Cocaine Moves by Submarine

New method confounds drug enforcement efforts

(NEWSER) - Cocaine traffickers have embraced a startling new method to transport their product into America, the Economist reports: homemade submersibles. The cartels themselves seem to be producing the small craft, which descend to just below the waterline. They sport large cargo space and fuel tanks that allow them to sail far out to sea before dropping their payloads. More»

Recovered Data Links Venezuela to FARC Rebels

US, studying evidence, won't yet call Chavez a terror sponsor

(NEWSER) - 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»

South American Crisis Ends With Handshakes

After spat over raid, Colombia, Ecuador make nice with promises for future

(NEWSER) - The threat of war involving Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela was diffused today with a bevy of handshakes televised all over Latin America, Reuters reports. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and his opposite number, Rafael Correa of Ecuador, reached an agreement on combating insurgents in the future; the Colombian military's killing of FARC rebels in Ecuador last weekend sparked the crisis. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Chavez Linked to Columbian Drug Trade

FARC guerrillas run cocaine through Venezuela

Venezuela • cocaine • Colombia • smuggler • drug cartel • FARC • Hugo Chávez

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Slaps Sanctions on Chavez Aides

3 charged with backing FARC drug runners, as tensions mount

Rebel's Files Show Chávez Aided FARC

Laptops point to arms deals, training accords with Colombian rebels

Cocaine Moves by Submarine

New method confounds drug enforcement efforts

Recovered Data Links Venezuela to FARC Rebels

US, studying evidence, won't yet call Chavez a terror sponsor

South American Crisis Ends With Handshakes

After spat over raid, Colombia, Ecuador make nice with promises for future

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?