Why We Worry

While the US media can’t see past the presidential election battles (funny that they only seem capable of covering one thing at a time), tensions are rising in South America. Ecuador and our best buds in Venezuela have both deployed troops to their border with Colombia.

From what I understand the episode began when Colombian troops killed members of a Colombian guerrilla group, FARC, about 1 mile inside Ecuador. FARC — according to Wikipedia — is a Marxist-Leninist group, involved in the drug trade and is classified as a terrorist group by the US and EU. Essentially, FARC, with the possible support of Hugo Chavez and Venezeula’s ally Ecuador, has been trying to seize power in Colombia.

In response to the attack by Colombia, both Chavez and President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, recalled their chief diplomats from the Colombian capital of Bogota and sent tanks and thousands of troops to the border.

Colombia justifies their attack with evidence they say is proof that Ecuadorean officials were colluding with one of the FARC leaders killed in the attack. Colombia has also accused Chavez of funding FARC. Colombia has gone as far as playing the nuclear card, claiming that FARC was seeking uranium to make a bomb.

Without more research and analysis of the evidence from Colombia, I’d prefer to refrain from judgement over who is right and wrong. I do, however, think that all sides should move their forces away from the border. The last thing the world needs is a war started over an accidental bullet or radar ghost.

I’m by no means an expert in South American politics, so please correct me in the comments if you notice an error or omission. (h/t Cameron)

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