Colombia: Celebrate the Release, Not the Regime

Amy Goodman / Truthdig Jul 10, 2008 It is fantastic to see Ingrid Betancourt free, but the celebration of her release should not be confused with celebration of the Colombian government. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Real Operation to ‘Rescue’ Ingrid Betancourt

Staff / Truthdig Jul 9, 2008 The July 2nd rescue of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and U.S. mercenaries employed by the Northrop Grumman Corp. was heralded as a dramatic victory over the anti-imperial FARC guerrilla forces in Colombia. The real story may be significantly less daring. The mainstream media's heroic rescue narrative is being contradicted by claims that a $20-million ransom payment was made. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Colombian Hostage Drama Becomes Big-Screen Drama

Staff / Truthdig Jul 9, 2008 Well, that didn't take long: Just a week after former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages were rescued from their FARC captors by Colombian forces, plans are in the works to make a movie version of the story, with Simon Brand on board to direct the drama. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Colombian Army Reports FARC Leader Dead

Staff / Truthdig May 25, 2008 The demise of Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda has been rumored many times before, but this time the Colombian army has announced that the long-time leader of the rebel group FARC is dead and has challenged FARC to disprove the report. Sources close to Marulanda have yet to confirm the news. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Colombia Claims FARC Planned to Make Dirty Bomb

Staff / Truthdig Mar 5, 2008 Defending their position after the killing of members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Ecuador heightened tension among Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela over the weekend, Colombian officials said the slain FARC members had been plotting to make a dirty bomb. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chavez Threatens War Against Colombia

Staff / Truthdig Mar 4, 2008 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ratcheted up the tension between his country and neighboring Colombia by moving tanks and thousands of troops to the border between the two nations Sunday. Chavez's actions were prompted by Colombia's killing of a key Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) leader and 16 other FARC members in Ecuador the previous day. Chavez has friendly relations with FARC. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

War on Drugs a Bust

Staff / Truthdig Jan 8, 2008 How will we know if the war on drugs is ever won? When all the kingpins are locked up or dead? That was once the prevailing idea among those on the front lines of the much-ballyhooed "war," which Rolling Stone scribe Ben Wallace notes has now gone on for over three decades and, in his view, is an utter failure. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Free Speech Ain’t Free. Oh, Wait a Minute. Yeah, It Is.

Will Durst / Truthdig Sep 29, 2007 After all the brouhaha in New York this week, this seems like a good time to have us a little chat about free speech. Not restricted free speech. Not partial free speech. Not pseudo-, semi-, counterfeit, limited free speech. Not free speech on Wednesdays between 2 and 3 p.m. EDT. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Know Your Audience

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Sep 28, 2007 Dig deeper

Chiquita’s Slipping Appeal

Amy Goodman / Truthdig Mar 21, 2007 What do Osama bin Laden and Chiquita bananas have in common? Both have used their millions to finance terrorism. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Going Bananas for Terrorists

Staff / Truthdig Mar 15, 2007 Chiquita has agreed to pay $25 million in fines for bribing Colombian terrorist groups to safeguard its banana plantations. One of the groups, a right-wing paramilitary organization, has been guilty of some of Colombia's worst atrocities. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )