Country Reports on Terrorism 2009
If you read the State Department's recently released Country Reports on Terrorism 2009 Western Hemisphere Overview something stands out immediately--outside Colombia there are few terrorist threats in the region. This is good news that deserves more attention. Even the section on Venezuela is pretty mild stuff, and it admits that Venezuela actually has worked with Colombia on counterterrorism.
And for all the talk about terrorists entering the U.S. through Mexico, we have the following:
No known international terrorist organizations had an operational presence in Mexico and no terrorist incidents targeting U.S. interests and personnel occurred on or originated from Mexican territory.
Alarmism is juicy. It grabs people's attention, makes for wonderful sound bytes and goes viral until people believe it. But in this case it is unwarranted and can lead to poor policy decisions.
3 comments:
These reports remain hopelessly politically biased. Just check out the way the Nicaragua section reads compared to any other Central American countries. Reading the report you'd think the only countries in the region with a relationship with Iran are Venezuela and Nicaragua. One can only imagine if a US Consulate in Venezuela would have been bombed, like in Mexico. Would it have been completely ignored?
And how can the Mexico section not mention Los Zetas - who attack the police, attack the military, try to seize territory, smuggle migrants (mainly Cubans), kidnap, steal - ie. do all the things FARC has done?
Oh and where is the Cuba section?
And how can the Mexico section not mention Los Zetas - who attack the police, attack the military, try to seize territory, smuggle migrants (mainly Cubans), kidnap, steal - ie. do all the things FARC has done?
Probably because terrorism is a driven by political aims while drug lords are driven by criminal aims.
It isn't surprising that Venezuela's description is mild. It isn't Iran or Yemen. Giving sanctuary isn't the same active sponsorship. Venezuela is still the only nation in this hemisphere that appears to be aiding (if indirectly) a force hostile to another country, so its still reason for concern.
If you don't think the Zetas have political aims you aren't paying attention. No, they may not want to establish a socialist state, but they still have political aims.
And spotting some FARC members present in Venezuela does not in any way prove the Government aids them or is giving them sanctuary. If it did most countries of the region would be suspect. Many FARC rebels have been arrested in Venezuela and turned over to Colombia.
The real question is why Colombia has not tried to cooperate with Venezuela in apprehending these folks? Why do they engage in a media show instead?
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