Walter In Denver

Why did Simon Trinidad join La FARC? When I read this question the first thing that came to mind was another communist named Fidel Castro. Castro, the same as Trinidad, had a very comfortable childhood. So now answer this question, why did Fidel Castro leave his wonder life to fight in the Sierra Maestra? Simon Trinidad was an informant for the FARC. He was giving them the balances on accounts, so they would know whom they could extort. I believe, meaning in my own opinion, that he ran when he got discovered. I grew up both in Colombia and here in the US. And when something like this is discovered you better hide. So, I believe that Trinidad did not join the FARC for the same social injustices that Castro fought for. I think it was for other reasons. And why was he helping the FARC when he had worked in the bank? Maybe he was kidnapped, threatened, and brainwashed. Who knows! My Brother-in-law was held by the FARC for 8 months. When he was released he told me that there was an American held with him who was released after a couple of months. When the day came to take him back to civilization he didn't want to go. He wanted to stay and fight with them. So could Trinidad be a victim of Stockholm syndrome?

Miguel; your post in my opinion is filled with ignorance. You cant come up with reasons like that or mediocre assumptions based on your own life and experiences. You aren’t the only Colombian in Colombia. I am from Venezuela and I can say some of the reasons to join these guerrillas are inspiring. I don’t condone violence, or any kind of extortions, but the reasons for these fights are valid ..the way these armed groups handle the situations or want to impose their vision ISNT. But it’s the only way they have. It’s like what Osama Bin Laden is doing. He is fighting imperialism and the reign the United States of America has had for the past 40 years across the Arabian world because of their oil. The only way he can do this is through violence. The reason people join these groups is because they are tired, fed up, and inspired by their ideals and vision.. and that internal fire burns more passionate than their comfortable life, in which all they do is observe injustice. I don’t believe being born wealthy is a reason to separate yourself from the problems and let it all be and enjoy your life doing other things the usual rich people do, such as drink, beautiful women, expensive houses and clothes, cars, etc. I believe if you are in a good economical position, with that you could help freedom fighters. If you are born privileged, then that’s only an advantage over other poor fighters, but you are human too, and as any other humans you have emotions. If something inspires you and you agree with it and its methods, you join. I personally am middle to higher class, and I watch immobile as injustice in the world takes place. From what the Americans have done in Iraq claiming it’s for their freedom, when they ve caused almost a million civilian deaths (officially) since the war started (between those at least a quarter of children, which is 250.000 ..this without counting the ones left injured without limbs and burned, even babies) to other world events as the ones happening in my own country or in Colombia, our neighbor. I feel impotent against this injustice and would love to do something about it, but I am just one person. If I could I would donate money to Osama Bin Laden or any other terrorist organization that takes action against America, but that’s not easy, to find or communicate with them. But if I could, I would. And I am not poor, have no need to join those organizations for any other reason that agreeing with their cause, etc. I guess it’s just the emotion that takes over me; I would definitely join them in some way to help ..joining doesnt mean going over there to fight, i guess someone like me would be more useful out in the world watching, passing information, etc. And I am not the only one that thinks like this, there are thousands of people like me around the world ..dying to do something about things. Its just that not all get a chance as Simon Trinidad.

That’s my point.

I'm sorry Alejandro, but it is your post that is ignorant.

You say: "the way these armed groups handle the situations or want to impose their vision ISNT. But it’s the only way they have." Obviously, you are not a student of history. Social change requires an intellectual and non-violent approach. You say: "It’s like what Osama Bin Laden is doing. He is fighting imperialism and the reign the United States of America has had for the past 40 years across the Arabian world because of their oil. The only way he can do this is through violence. The reason people join these groups is because they are tired, fed up, and inspired by their ideals and vision.. " Osama Bin Laden comes from a family and class of people that has oppressed Saudi Arabia. He is not only a hypocrite but a murdering scumbag and you're coming off as an idiot. But let's continue: You say "I feel impotent against this injustice and would love to do something about it, but I am just one person. If I could I would donate money to Osama Bin Laden or any other terrorist organization that takes action against America, but that’s not easy, to find or communicate with them. But if I could, I would. And I am not poor, have no need to join those organizations for any other reason that agreeing with their cause, etc. I guess it’s just the emotion that takes over me; I would definitely join them in some way to help ..joining doesnt mean going over there to fight, i guess someone like me would be more useful out in the world watching, passing information, etc. And I am not the only one that thinks like this, there are thousands of people like me around the world ..dying to do something about things. Its just that not all get a chance as Simon Trinidad." Alejandro, you are an evil stupid prick...and let's hope I never run into you. Jerk off.

The poor don't have to support the FARC-EP but those who oppose the group are fools N deserve to be poor N have their rights abused by the government. The government and its right wing paramilitary groups are arms of the US. The only other option they have is to become very political and elect someone with ideals close to Chavez. Thatz what the country needs, someone who could work with for the poor and help bring peace to the country.

He also joined the Patriotic Union, a party set up by the FARC as it
dipped its toes in the waters of legal politics in the 1980s. The brutal
extermination campaign of around 4,000 Patriotic Union activists --
killed by far-right paramilitaries -- convinced many in the FARC that
the government's offers of peace would always be a trap and that
guerrilla war was the only way forward.

too bad the FARCs attempted a political group that was killed offf.

Miguel I think you are very ignorant and have not read enough information about Simon Trinidad. He chose to joined FARC, he made contact with them, stole all the funds from the bank he worked for and gave names of all the bank's clients who had large amounts of money to Tirofijo (FARC's leader). Consequently, These people were kidnapped by FARC. Next time do your research, I recommend www.elcolombiano.com.co and www.eltiempo.com.

To Yngjd: Do your research about Julio Chavez before posting comments. He is one of the worst presidents Venezuela has ever had. Not only is he very ignorant (he doesn't even know how to speak proper spanish, nor does he know the protocol rules about addressing other presidents), he is not prepared to be a president, and lets face it the bottom line is that he has done more damage to Venezuela than he has done good. Look at Alvaro Uribe, Colombia's new president. He has reduced the areas used by the guerrillas and the drug deales to grow marihuana by 50% within 2 years, more that 2,000 guerillas and paramilitary members have turned themselves in, kidnapping has been reduced by 38%, and unemployment has gone from 19% to 10%. In addition he established a program to introduced back into society guerrilla members that want to change by providing them with education and jobs. He has given back to peasants territory that the guerrilla took away from them and he does not negotiate with terrorists. Do your research and then submit your opinion, only someone as ignorant and uneducated as president Chavez would submit such comment.

Hello people:

I don´t know where do you live but I live in Colombia and here the poor people hates FARC and Simon Trinidad, we also hates the paramilitary groups but trust me, people don't hate the government and the army.

When I lived in my town I was always afraid about the guerrilla because they seek for young people to recruit. They don't take care about your age, they only want to put a gun in your hands and they enforce you to crop coca.

A lots of my friends where enforced to fight and to work in the coca fields. That's why I went to the city.

Now I'm poor and I feel very sad because I'm far from my home BUT I'm not more afraid about guerrilla.

Aquellos que dicen que en Colombia no se odia al gobierno estan equivocados. Yo lo odio desde los anos 70 cuando en medio de un gran operativo militar fui "capturado" por el ejercito en los alrededores de Yali por ser un comandante guerrillero. Mi delito? haberme adentrado en las selvas de "la teresa" y "las pavas" a visitar familiares t tomar fotos de ninos desnutridos y familias hambrientas que podian ser comprometedoras para el estado. Coso se lo dije al militar que me interrogo: Hasta hoy yo no sabia lo que era ni queria ser un guerrillero. P4ero hoy con su proceder Uds. me han convertido en uno. El estado Colombiano es el que hace los guerrilleros con su apoyo a los paras y con su politica de exterminio de las clases mas bajas. Yo tambien si supiera como, contribuiria con mi dinero todo a las FARC, unico gobierno legitimo y soberano de Colombia.

Antonio:

Muy respetable su caso personal, pero creo que Usted no tuvo que esconderse unas treinta veces del ejército en el monte como a mi si me toco esconderme de la guerrilla cada vez que arrimaban al pueblo. Al igual que Usted, por el único delito de vivir en el monte.

Ahora no vivo por allá, soy un simple profesor de escuela pero por lo menos duermo tranquilo.

Usted no puede comparar las salvajadas de la guerrilla y los paramilitares con su detención ilegal.

Lo lamento mucho y se que el ejército vive de error en error pero definitivamente el nivel de odio que sentimos por las FARC no es comparable con nada.