Colombia: December 11, 2003

Archives

The continued kidnappings and drug gang connections have cost the leftist rebels a lot of public support. And this is making it possible more successful army operations against rebels. It's easier to get information from people in the countryside, partly because better trained troops are less likely to behave like invading barbarians. US Special Forces trainers have, for years, worked to convince the army and police that good behavior in the field would gain the support of local people, support that ultimately saves the lives of soldiers and civilians, and provides information on where the rebels, their camps and, increasingly, their kidnap victims are. The US is also providing electronic surveillance equipment that enables troops and police to listen in to rebel communications.

The rebels have, over the last decade, become more oppressive in their treatment of civilians they did not completely trust. Thus the rebels have gone from heroes of the socialist revolution to bandits living off kidnapping and drug gang protection money.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close