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| A mural on Calle 26 memorializes assassinated radio comedian Jaime Garzón. |
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| Jaime Garzón and his duck. |
Jaime Garzón was a popular radio comic and critic of the wealthy and powerful. In his youth, he had been a radical leftist and briefly a member of the ELN guerrillas. Before his contract-style killing, committed by a motorcyclist one morning in Bogotá's Quinta Paredes neighborhood, Garzón had been advocating peace negotiations between the ELN guerrillas and the government.
So, many signs pointed to right-wing forces, altho some speculated that the rival FARC guerrilla group could be behind the killing.
But, over the years, evidence including released U.S. documents has added evidence that the paramilitary and military paid to have Garzón killed. Paramilitary leader Carlos Castaño was charged for the murder, but he was killed by rival paramilitaries.
Yesterday's charges against Col. Jorge Plazas, who is on the lam, might finally mean that one of the conspirators in one of Colombia's most notorious assassinations gets punished.
By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours
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6 comments:
Wow, Mike. It certainly comes as no surprise that a leftist would advocate for peace and negotiations just when they are losing any influence, and the public sentiment is turning from them. That has been a socialist tactic since Marx and Engels. Like your blog though.
What a nasty comment, Higginbotham. Don't be such a narrow minded right-winger, although narrow-minded and right-winger always go with each other. In any case, whoever killed this man is another despicable criminal who managed to kill, in my opinion, a very smart and extraordinarily brave man. Higginbotham, get more informed about socialist tactics. I bet they're not as nasty and filthy as the right-wingers tactics.
M.F.
Thanks for your comment Stephen.
I'm sure that it's a common tactic, whether you're left or right, to seek to negotiate when you're weakened. That's probably most of what has brought the FARC to the negotiating table. On the other hand, Colombia's guerrillas have long had public sentiment against them.
And, Mauricio, there are many conservatives who are not narrow-mined, and many left-wingers who are.
Mike
Thank you for your comment, Stephen. What a pathetic comment, Mike. Can you see that this is not looking at who this man really was, regardless of his political orientation he tried to do something for the peace of my country. And all you have to say is thank you for your comment. Try to go deeper in your comments, and I think you are smarter than Mr. Higginbotham. I'm sorry, but I didn't say "conservatives", I said, "right-wingers", and yes, most of the time they are narrow-minded and not very educated. To prove it, if this guy had the chance to read about Garzón's life, he would probably never make such a comment. You are supposed to be a journalist, or at least that is what I think you are. Aren't journalists more neutral?
I am really disappointed with you, even though I know you don't really give a fuck.
M.F.
Hi Mauricio. I'm sorry you feel that way. But whether well informed or not, liberal or conservative, or whatever, Stephen deserves respect, not insults. Why don't you explain to him why Jaime Garzon
was such a great man instead of accusing Stephen of being narrow, which doesn't do you much credit.
Mike
Com on Mike, please. The guy reeds that Garzon was hunted by the military and the paras, it explains that he was somebody really doing something for Colombia, for a peace process, in a very original, smart and very brave way, that he died young...And all he has to say is such a cold comment??? I showed one of my friends your post about Garzon's death and the comment of Higginbotham and, although she is very conservative she came to the same conclusion, that is ovbious that is not just a nasty and cold comment but, that it sounds also very right winger. Every time you hear a dude talking about Engels and Marx and then adding the word socialist it reveals the tendencies of the person. And, can you explain to me in what way i insult this guy, just because i call him a right winger, wish in the opinion of four of my friends and i he is. People call me a leftist and a left winger and it does not affect me or insults me.
M.F.
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