Klaus Nydholm, the representative in Colombia of the United Nations Drug Control Program told reporters on May 8 that rightwing Colombian
paramilitaries "are indeed involved" in drug trafficking, "even more than the guerrillas of the FARC to such an extent that there are regions of the country in which it’s hard to tell who are drug traffickers and who are paramilitaries.
Klaus Nydholm, the representative in Colombia of the United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP, a separate agency from the control board), told reporters on May 8 that rightwing Colombian
paramilitaries "are indeed involved" in drug trafficking, "even more than the guerrillas of the FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia], to such an extent that there are regions of the country in which it’s hard to tell who are drug traffickers and who are paramilitaries.
" Although the rebels "finance their war" with taxes on the drug trade, Nydholm said, "We do not consider the FARC drug traffickers. We believe that it is still a matter of a guerrilla organization with political objectives.
" Nydholm added that the smaller rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) "never has been very involved" in drug trafficking. [El
Diario-La Prensa (NY) 5/11/01 from AFP]
[The US-financed "drug war" in
Colombia is widely believed to be aimed at fighting the guerrilla groups while supporting the Colombian military, which is regularly accused of collaboration with the paramilitaries.]
[ also see related articles:
Quest for Oil Drives Aid to Colombia
Peoples Global Action – U.S BUS TOUR – Why Should Plan Colombia be Stopped
US Bars Ecuadoran Indigenous Leaders from PGA Bus Tour ]
Author: NICARAGUA SOLIDARITY NETWORK OF GREATER NEW YORK
News Service: Weekly News Update on the Americas #589, 5/13/01
URL: http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/chiapas95.html
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