Soldiers for Peace

A soldier lights a candle for peace. 

This evening, a group of  residents of Chapinero organized this candle lighting ceremony on the Plaza de Lourdes, in Chapinero. One told me that the candles, which spelled out 'PAZ', were a protest against violence during recent marches and demonstrations in support of farmers protesting low prices for their products. Some of the protests in Bogotá turned violent, in great part because of hooded rioters called encapuchados.

Such a perspective on recent events is perhaps not surprising for residents of middle class Chapinero. Others would probably find the violence in deeper, root causes, such as economic exploitation of farmers.

I was struck by the participation of soldiers in the ceremony. But I probably should not have been. After all, they suffer most from Colombia's violent armed conflict. On the other hand, tho, peace would deprive them of work.

The candles on Plaza Lourdes spelled PAZ - PEACE.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Another March for Peace

The marchers pack Ave. 26.

Thousands of participants of the Assembly for Peace held on the National University's campus carried out a huge march today from the campus to Plaza Bolivar. While everybody wants peace, this group's flags and signs supporting guerrillas in Colombia and abroad suggest that they want peace only on the guerrillas' terms.

Notice the FSLN guerrilla flag. 

Anarchism, the new social model.

On the Plaza del Ché on the National University's campus.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Peace Breaks Out on Plaza Bolívar!

Today, these folks appeared on Plaza Bolivar carrying signs declaring

War is Over

and below that

If you want it.

Merry Christmas John and Yoko

I neglected to inquire which war they're campaigning against in their quiet way, but can only assume that it's Colombia's long armed conflict - or perhaps all wars. Did John Lennon ever sing about Colombia? I doubt it. But his words might help now, as peace talks begin in Havana, Cuba.

Every right-thinking person wants Colombia's war, and all wars, to be over. But making that happen is, unfortunately, much more difficult than is singing about it.

Nearby, this group of foreigners on bicycles wore blue shirts with the European Union symbol and 'Nobel Peace Prize Winner' written below it. Were they all peace prize winners? In a way, yes, since they were citizens of the European Union, which won this year's peace Prize - which is to be officially handed over tomorrow.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Drum Marathon for Peace

A group of colorfully dressed men are carrying out a marathon 'drumming for peace' on Jimenez Ave. in front of the San Francisco Church. The effort coincides with the start of peace talks in Cuba between the Colombian government and FARC guerrillas, so hopefully the positive peace vibes will reach across the Caribbean.

Interestingly, this somewhat eccentric group of drummers, who have appeared on Plaza Bolívar and other spots, have been embraced by the police force, which is enthusiastically participating in the 126--hour drum marathon. 

A bicycle tourist with Fabio, one of the group's leaders. 

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Drumming for Peace

This colorful and slightly eccentric group was drumming for peace today near the planetarium and bullfighting stadium. For Sept. 11, they're planning to drum for 126 hours straight in defense of human and animal rights.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

And Then There Was Only the FARC

Maybe not flower powr yet, but ETA, the Basque terror group, has promised to lay down its arms. 

Yesterday, the Basque terrorist group ETA declared the end of their armed struggle for independence from Spain after 52 years and more than 800 killings.

Madrid train bombing by ETA.

In 2009, Sri Lanka's military defeated the Tamal Tigers, ending 33 years of vicious civil war on the island.

In 1998, the Belfast Agreement incorporated the various armed groups into government, leading to the end of most sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

During the '80s and '90s, various leftist rebel organizations throughout Latin America either seized power (in Cuba), laid down their arms or integrated into their nations' elected governments.

Only in Colombia (and to a small degree in Peru) have armed groups continued a futile insurgency against their governments.

Lost in the past? FARC guerrilla leaders.

To any reasonable observer it's obvious that the age of guerrilla insurgencies is over - at least in the relatively developed, democratic world. Remember that Afghanistan is a tribal state, the Taliban ruled the country for years and the 'elected' government never had much legitimacy. Back when the United States and Soviet Union bankrolled client organizations around the world, guerrilla group had a real chance, and managed to sieze power in Africa and the Middle East.

This isn't to argue that these various groups' causes aren't legit: the Basques, the Tamils and the Kurds (who fight on futilely), certainly deserve autonomous territories, if not states. Colombia, like many developing nations, suffers huge social injustices. But the terrorism committed by these insurgencies has done more damage to their causes than advanced them.

But by integrating themselves into the democratic process, as ETA will likely aim to do, rebel organizations have accomplished more. Take the IRA and the Nepalese communists, who now share power in their respective governments. Here in Colombia, the M-19 demobilized in ----, played an important role in writing Colombia's 1991 Constitution and several ex-M-19ers now sit in Colombia's Congress. Bogotá's next mayor may very well be ex-M-19 leader Gustavo Petro.

A FARC bombing. Still fighting, but for what? 

In contrast, the FARC and ELN guerrilla groups have only succeeded in scarring the image of the left in Colombia. Why else is Colombia one of the very few Latin nations with a conservative government? It was because Colombians got fed up with having to live under seige from chronic violence and turned to a president who led a no-holds-barred military campaign against the guerrillas, with only limited concern for human rights. It's why only a tiny proportion of Colombians still sympathize with the guerrillas.

Why do the FARC and ELN still insist on armed struggle, when they've gotten nowhere and are further than ever from victory? It's in part because of the guerrillas' obsolete mindset about Communism, Revolution and Che Guevara's 'New Man.' But it's also because they've got a huge, guaranteed income from the outlawed drug trade. It's been documented that insurgencies survive longer when they have such a black market income.

As long as drugs are illegal, illegal groups like Colombia's guerrillas (and other outlaws) will enjoy huge incomes and likely continue fighting and killing.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Women Against War

Not One Woman, Not One Man, Not One Dollar for War

Women in Black, an internatioal anti-war organization founded in Israel, is holding its convention in Bogotá this week. This morning they rallied along Jimenez Ave., chanting against war and vowing that women 'Do not give birth to send their sons and daughters to war.'

No War in My Name!

War is always terrible, and Colombia has suffered far more than its share of it, with its many civil wars and its ongoing armed conflict involving guerrillas, the military and right-wing paramilitaries. The current conflict, which has dragged on for more than a half century, has killed untold thousands of people, driven millions of peasants from their homes and cost the nation tremendously in wealth and opportunity.

Everybody in their right minds wishes it would end!

But in the late 1990s the Pastrana government tried to negotiate with the FARC guerrillas, even giving them a region larger than Switzerland in southern Colombia to use as a neutral negotiating region. But the guerrillas were apparently never sincere, and Colombia's two succeeding presidents have used a no-holds-barred military strategy, with billions of dollars in aid from Washington. The military offensive has produced results - altho with a big cost in human rights - and made both presidents Alvaro Uribe and Manuel Santos very popular.

Today, the guerrillas continue invading towns and attacking vehicles in remote parts of the country and display little interest in negotiating peace. When groups like Women in Black call for an end to war, they often seem to be demanding a unilateral government disarmament.

International Encounter of Women in Black

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Awaiting the Keys to Peace

The peace poster stretched before the National Park's monument to Rafael Uribe Uribe.

Since Monday of this week, artist Antonio Castañeda has been camped in Bogotá's National Park, by the monument to General Rafael Uribe Uribe, who led the Liberal Party's side during the Thousand Day's War.

Artist Antonio Castañeda

Castañeda's art exhibition is meant to promote peace, on both the local and international levels. And he holds a faith in governments and institutions which is either heartening or naive. He's chained himself to a tree, with five locks, and sent the keys to five different important people: the German Ambassador, the Papal Nuncio, a journalist, a government minister and the head of a charity - not all institutions which have always promoted peace.

At 2 p.m. Friday he expects the five to show up to unlock him, freeing him to campaign for peace.

And if they don't show up?

"Then I'll stay here waiting," he says.

With that sort of faith, maybe he really can also hold out for world peace.

Castañeda, chained. 

Castañeda grew up poor in a violent neighborhood in the city of Boyaca. There, he said, he became inspired to work for peace. And, now he said, he wants to plant his seed. He hopes someday to get the money to take his exhibition around the world.

And why is he now before the monument to a general who fought in one of the bloodiest of Colombia's many civil wars?

"Uribe Uribe was a palladin for the poor," Castañeda explains.

A painting denouncing anti-personnel mines, a plague in Colombia. 

'You and I are peace.' And Parchita, as well?

I ran into Antonio today in La Plaza del Periodista. The guy was sad, because the police had removed him and his art from the park. Apparently, he didn't have a permit. He had also felt threatened - he said the police damaged his artworks, drove him thru the hills and later held him for a while in the police station. 

The polics also cut his chains for him.

Artist Antonio, chains broken, in the Plaza del Periodista.

His website is: www.fundacionprodisca.com ; His phone no. is 310-850-5302 or 299-0692.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours