Colombia — Peace at what prices?
Written & directed by Anne O'Casey
Running time 40 minutes, $20
Available from CISLAC (PO Box A431 Sydney South NSW 2000; web site: <http://www.cislac.org.au>)
REVIEW BY LYNDA HANSEN
The latest video presentation produced by the Committees in Solidarity with Latin and the Caribbean (CISLAC) successfully exposes the United States' role in the attempted suppression of liberation movements in Colombia and the myths surrounding these movements in relation to narcotics production and trafficking.
The video combines historic stills, interviews and demonstration coverage to document Colombia's turbulent political history and the emergence of a strong resistance movement based in the rural and urban regions
Colombia has Latin America's highest number of trade unionist deaths at the hands of para- militaries and government troops, with one-third of the unions' leadership having been murdered. Fr example, in the last two years alone, 500 teachers have been killed, 2000 teachers have been "disappeared" and 800 have received death threats. Activism for teachers in Colombia is certainly a dangerous business. Nevertheless, the teachers' union remains a vibrant organisation and continues to demand better working conditions and increased resources for schools.
Colombia has a long history of resistance by three guerrilla groups — the ELN (National Liberation Army) with 4000 troops, the EPL (People' Liberation Army), and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) with an estimated 17,000 fighters. These guerilla groups arose out of the struggles of the 1950s to oppose the pro-landowning oligarchy policies of the ruling Conservative and Liberal parties.
In 1999 the US, the European Union and the Colombian government launched "Plan Colombia" — a $7.5 billion strategy to deal with Colombia's "drug problem". Interviews with FARC leader Manuel Maralunda and US academic James Petras provide useful insights into the US government's real agenda for its intervention into Colombia's internal affairs.
Using the cover of combatting drugs trafficking, Washington aims to crush the peasant-based guerilla movements. Eighty per cent of the funds allocated under Plan Colombia will be spent on the army and air force, marking a massive offensive against the democratic and radical movements in Colombia.
Australian-based Latin America solidarity activist Dick Nichols gives a critical analysis of the problems that the guerilla groups may face in the future.
Colombia is the third most populous country in Latin America with 40 million inhabitants. Due to President Pastrana's Liberal government policies the country is facing its worst-ever recession. Unemployment stands at 20% and underemployment at another 20%.
Colombia — peace at what price? is a useful tool to combat the myths and lies churned out by the US and Australian mainstream media in support of Plan Colombia. Schools, universities and trade unions could make good use of this video to educate people and assist in building a strong international solidarity movement that opposes destruction of progressive movements in the Latin America.