Highlights
– Colombian officials report emails link ETA and the FARC
– Spanish authorities have opened an official investigation
– FARC and ETA are reported to have external support
– Direct partnership between FARC and ETA unlikely
Following the discovery of evidence indicating a possible connection between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) and Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA), a senior Spanish prosecutor stated on June 5, 2008 that he would travel to Colombia to investigate potential links between the two.
In early March 2008, Colombian officials reported emails had been discovered that appear to refer to ETA. Reportedly, the emails were uncovered on a computer seized by Colombian authorities in the border raid in early March (Previous Report). The laptop allegedly belonged to Raul Reyes, who was killed during the raid. Several Spanish authorities have expressed doubt over the validity of the evidence and if any ties do exist, they would be minimal. Although both organizations have extended their reach beyond their own country’s borders, it is unlikely evidence will uncover any direct connections between the two organizations.
Details of the Investigation
Colombian officials claim emails dating back to 2003 mention alleged FARC plans to assassinate Colombian politicians living in Madrid, Spain. According to officials, documents suggest the FARC may have been looking to collaborate with ETA on the attacks. Among others, Colombia’s current Vice President Francisco Santos and former Colombian President, Andres Pastrana were allegedly potential targets. Additionally, Spanish police will look into various murders of Colombian citizens in Madrid that may lead to proof of an ETA-FARC cooperation.
Chief prosecutor at the National Court, Javier Zaragoza, also stated correspondence showed several ETA members have trained in FARC camps along the Venezuela/Colombia border. However, he maintained officials know nothing about the relationship and will be traveling to Bogota in the near future to clarify any links. Additionally Zaragoza has requested Spanish police officers prepare a report on the possibility of links between the two groups.
Investigators will be searching for any type of interchange including weapons exchange, training, information regarding staging attacks, or ETA using Latin America as a logistical operational base. Spanish authorities specializing in ETA-related crime have stated they do not believe any of these connections have been made between the FARC and ETA.
External Support
The United States and the European Union have designated both ETA and the FARC as terrorist organizations. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has stated ETA tends to work on its own and does not give much credibility to the alleged connection. Nonetheless, it is known that ETA has previously received training at various times in a handful of countries including Libya, Lebanon and Nicaragua (Previous Report). More specifically, ETA has reported ties with the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA), ETA members have trained at Middle Eastern terrorist training camps and some in Nicaragua have been implicated in attacks against opponents of the Sandinista Government in the 1980s.
It has been reported that the FARC has established connections not only with surrounding South American countries but also with international Marxist Leninist organizations including the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Cuba and the former Soviet Union. The majority of support the FARC has received from external countries has not been monetary funding, but education in guerrilla warfare, Marxist-Leninist principles, and bomb production. Financial support primarily comes from kidnappings, extortion, and their extensive involvement in drug trafficking.
Looking Ahead
Though both organizations maintain active international networks, it is unlikely ETA and the FARC have a direct partnership. While both groups do have a common background, Marxist-Leninist ideologies, ETA’s primary motivation is Basque nationalism. Additionally, the FARC primarily target victims and infrastructure within the Colombian border whether it is for financial gain or as a terrorist strike. Similarly, no evidence to date has indicated ETA has helped plan or perpetrate attacks in Spain for external terrorist groups. As such, it does not appear there is a strong motivation for either group to collaborate with the other. While investigations will continue in the near to mid-term, it is unlikely authorities will find compelling evidence linking the two organizations.
