Synopses & Reviews
To many -- the Colombian, U.S. and the EU governments among them -- the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is no more than a terrorist organization. Moreover, they claim that the FARC is only engaged in criminal activities and no longer maintains an ideology. But does this tell the whole story? Or can terrorism be a strategy for furthering ideological objectives -- irrespective of how the terrorist actions may appear to contradict stated political and ideological beliefs? As the UN's special envoy to Colombia noted in 2003, it would be "a mistake to think that the FARC members are only drug traffickers and terrorists." Part of Zed's groundbreaking Rebels series, Garry Leech has written the definitive introduction to the FARC, examining the group's origins, aims and ideology, and looking at its organizational and operational structures. The book also investigates the FARC's impact on local, regional and global politics and explores its future direction. As someone who reported from the frontline in Colombia for many years and was himself kidnapped by the FARC, Leech offers an unparalled insight into one of the world's most high-profile armed revolutionary organizations.
Review
"Using original sources and key interviews, this book serves as an invaluable guide that places the FARC, Latin America's oldest and largest insurgency movement, in its political, economic and strategic context." -- Dr. Doug Stokes, University of Kent at Canterbury "You may disagree with this book. But whether you believe that the FARC are terrorists, drug traffickers, the armed poor, freedom fighters, or just a group that has lost its way, Garry Leech's history of the guerrillas will make you view them differently - and may change your view of Colombia's long conflict and how it can be brought to an end. The FARC acknowledges and addresses the many deserved criticisms leveled at Latin America's oldest insurgent group, and seeks to explain what continues to motivate it today. Whether you think the FARC should be fought, negotiated with, or both, Leech's book is an essential text. There's nothing like it in English." - Adam Isacson, Director of the Regional Security Policy Program at the Washington Office on Latin America
Synopsis
Garry Leech has written the definitive introduction to the FARC, examining the group's origins, aims, and ideology, and looking at its organizational and operational structures. The book also investigates the FARC's impact on local, regional, and global politics and explores its future direction.
'Rebels' is an exciting and innovative new series looking at contemporary rebel groups and their place in global politics. Written by leading experts, the books serve as definitive introductions to the individual organizations, whilst seeking to place them within a broader geographical and political framework. They examine the origins, ideology and future direction of each group, whilst posting such questions as 'When does a rebel political movement become a terrorist organization?' and 'What are the social-economic drivers behind political violence?'.
Provocative and original, the series is essential reading for anyone interested in how rebel groups operate today.
About the Author
Garry Leech is a British born American independent journalist and editor of the online publication Colombia Journal, which analyzes U.S. foreign policy in Colombia. He also teaches international politics at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Table of Contents
Map of Colombia
Timeline of Events
Introduction
1: The Roots of the FARC
2: The FARC's Political Front
3: The FARC's Social Project
4: The FARC and the Drug Trade
5: From 'Narco-Guerrillas' to 'Narco-Terrorists'
6: The FARC and Human Rights
7: The Future of the FARC