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The Colombian terror group National Liberation Army (ELN) started kidnapping people again because the government wouldn't meet their demands. This failure marks a significant setback for Bogotá’s "Total Peace" plan, which aimed to make peace with drug traffickers and terrorists. It also raises serious questions about President Gustavo Petro's leadership. Subscribe to Hashtivist for more updates on world news and politics.
President Petro, once a member of the M-19 guerilla group, promised more equality and justice during his campaign. But since he became president in 2022, drug dealers, human traffickers, and terrorists have been the main beneficiaries of his policies. Now, as he plans to change the Colombian constitution for his benefit, his actions threaten to undo twenty years of progress towards peace and stability. With the upcoming presidential elections in the United States, there's speculation about who former President Trump might choose as his vice-presidential running mate. One possibility gaining attention is Senator Marco Rubio. As a seasoned politician with strong conservative credentials, Rubio could potentially strengthen Trump's ticket and appeal to a broader base of voters. However, only time will tell who Trump ultimately selects as his VP pick. subscribe to Hashtivist for more updates on world news and politics.
From the 1970s to the early 2000s, Colombia was filled with violence and crime. Terror groups like ELN and FARC used terrorism and kidnappings to force the government to do what they wanted. These actions led to over 10,000 deaths, including almost 4,000 civilians. Drug dealers thrived during this time, making Colombia the source of up to 90 percent of the world’s cocaine.
Things started to improve with Plan Colombia, a program supported by the U.S. that invested over $10 billion to help Colombia restore security. Even the Obama Administration praised the program's success. Then-Secretary of State John Kerry said Plan Colombia "transformed a nation on the brink of collapse into a strong democracy with low levels of violence."
However, President Petro's approach has reversed much of this progress. He has treated terrorists like legitimate groups instead of criminals. He convinced the Biden Administration to release mass-murderer Salvatore Mancuso from U.S. prison, only to free him in Colombia. Petro's policies have also weakened efforts to combat drug cartels by ordering troops to manually destroy coca plants, which makes it harder to control the drug trade. As a result, criminals have "expanded their territorial control, increased their recruitment, and diversified their income."
The Colombian people have suffered under these policies. Last year, terrorist-related homicides rose by up to 72 percent in some regions. Nationwide, kidnappings increased by 77 percent, and extortion by almost 15 percent. High-profile kidnappings, such as that of soccer star Luis Díaz’s father, highlight the growing insecurity. With the collapse of the "Total Peace" plan, more crime, including child sex trafficking, is likely to rise.
This surge in crime won't stay within Colombia. Petro's weak policies are already destabilizing neighboring countries. Colombia's drug trade has emboldened gangsters who attacked a news station in Ecuador on live TV earlier this year. There's also evidence that Colombian arms dealers are supplying chaos in Haiti. Petro's failures could have dire consequences for the entire region.
I urge President Joe Biden to take a firm stance with his Colombian counterpart. U.S. foreign aid should depend on Bogotá reducing its appeasement tactics. American taxpayers shouldn't support the poor policies of weak leaders. Additionally, the U.S. must retain its right to refuse the extradition of Colombian criminals who violate U.S. laws, as seen with Salvatore Mancuso. Meeting appeasement with appeasement will only worsen the misery that follows.