FARC: Are they terrorists or are they freedom fighters?.
Who is a terrorist? Who is a freedom fighter? A terrorist is one who uses the deliberate creation and exploitation of fear for bringing about political change. All terrorists commit violent acts. A freedom fighter is one who seeks political change for their people and use violence only as an agitator. So how can we know we really are the criminals?.
The Armed Revolucionary Forces of Colombia- Peoples" Army (FARC-EP) is a revolutionary group that came about in the 1940's with aims of aiding the disenfranchised of the Colombian population in obtaining better rights and resources.
On the one hand, FARC-EP has done some things that can be considered noteworthy. They have worked to the save social security and benefits for the labour union, teachers, and free zone workers; organized strikes for taxi drivers when unfair taxes were imposed on them; and also encouraged the blockading of the Pan American Highway by the aboriginal people of North Cauca when they were demanding their ancestrial rights.
However, on the other hand, despite these few good deeds, this is not what FARC-EP is most famous for. They hijack airplanes and kidnap local and international government officials and even civilians for ransom. They were responsible for the 2002 kidnapping of presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. In 2003 they dropped a bomb on a church, killing a total of 119 civilians in the church were killed almost half of them children. They have also destroyed tens of power stations across the country.
FARC-EP claims that they are fighting for the people, but it is difficult to see how killing them and taking their money is "for the people." .
A freedom fighter will always have the support of the people because at the heart of everything they do is the people. At the heart of what FARC-EP does is FARC-EP. .
If they are truly the " Peoples" Army" then why do the people never give them more than 5% of their support in National polls.
