Highlights
– Interpol examines thousands of electronic files seized in March 2008 raid on FARC rebel camp
– Examination reveals alleged FARC connections to Colombian and Venezuelan leaders
– Tensions to remain high between Colombia and Venezuela in the near to mid-term as accusations continue
On March 3, 2008, Colombian forces conducted a raid into Ecuador on a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) camp, killing FARC Commander Raul Reyes and seizing laptops containing sensitive information belonging to the groups’ members. As previously reported, the raid led to increased tensions in the region as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sided with Ecuador in protest to the incursion, while the United States pledged support for Colombia’s actions (Previous Report). While initial tensions eventually resided, recent information obtained from the computers’ files has revealed possible connections between both Venezuelan and Colombian officials and FARC leaders, causing a flurry of new allegations between both nations.
Interpol Investigates
After the immediate seizure of the computers, Colombian officials announced that a cursory review revealed connections to Venezuelan President Chavez, a claim Chavez has fervently denied by accusing Colombia of altering any incriminating documents. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) took possession of the FARC computers to determine if the contents were original.
Over the course of nearly two months, Interpol investigators examined an estimated 40 million files of videos, photographs, data spreadsheets and nearly 1,000 encrypted items. On May 16, 2008, Interpol Secretary-General Ronald Noble announced that the files were intact, with no evidence of modification, alteration, addition or deletion by Colombian officials. A Colombian anti-terror operator initially accessed the seized files before they had been turned over to Interpol, leaving multiple electronic traces during his search. The official did disclose this information to Interpol, leading Noble to praise the officer’s professionalism.
While Interpol did verify the authenticity of the electronic files, it did not make a judgment on the validity of the information the documents contained. Analysts from Singapore and Australia, with no Spanish skills, were used in the investigation to ensure no biases were applied due to the information being reviewed. Further detailed investigations into the legitimacy of the files’ claims will likely continue by Colombian officials in the near to mid-term.
Information Revealed
Of the documents reviewed, the following FARC claims were uncovered:
– President Chavez received FARC support for his political activities in the 1990s
– President Chavez pledged US$300 million to the FARC
– FARC maintained an office within Venezuela’s military command in Fuerte Tiuana
– FARC rebels met regularly with Venezuelan Interior Minister Ramon Rodriquez Chacin, who asked the rebels to provide guerilla warfare training for an unidentified armed group in Venezuela
– FARC attempted to obtain uranium and anti-aircraft missiles
– Colombian President Alvaro Uribe received US$100,000 from the FARC to support his 2006 presidential campaign
– Possible connections to Colombian Congress members
In recent weeks, Colombian officials have leaked portions of alleged internal FARC emails, building a case of Chavez’s support for the rebel group. These sections contained portions of the statements listed above, including offers of financial support, the use of Venezuelan territory for “rest and recuperation” and possible offers of weaponry.
Presidential Responses
In Venezuela, President Chavez has denounced the accusations of his support for the FARC, repeatedly stating that anti-Venezuelan individuals within the Colombian government have manipulated the documents. He states that this is a “new act of aggression” by President Uribe and Uribe’s United States allies.
In Colombia, President Uribe has called for an investigation into the Congress members with alleged FARC connections. The three politicians in question have stated that they are being unjustly targeted in retaliation for calling for government corruption investigations in the past. No statements have been issued in regards to President Uribe’s own alleged connections.
Outlook
Colombia will likely continue to release portions of the FARC materials throughout their investigation, using the contents to embarrass President Chavez as long as possible and isolate Venezuela diplomatically in the near-term. However, the allegations will likely not go much further than rhetoric, as the growing economic connections between Colombia and Venezuela would be damaged by a complete deterioration of relations. Also, since some members of the United States Congress have considered listing Venezuela as a state that sponsors of terrorism, if Colombia were to blacklist Venezuela, it would only give support to Chavez’s argument that US supporters control Colombia.
