Colombia found something more dangerous than uranium
posted at 9:50 am on March 28, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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After Colombian president Alvaro Uribe ordered a raid across the Ecuadorean border to kill a high-ranking rebel leader, both Ecuador and Venezuela rattled sabers, threatened war, and cut off diplomatic relations with Colombia. Almost immediately, both sent their military units in reverse, and Hugo Chavez speedily restored relations. Those moves appear dependent on Uribe keeping the contents of laptops found at the FARC camp quiet, information more dangerous than the 66 pounds of uranium Colombia now claims they recovered:
Venezuela has since restored full diplomatic relations with Colombia, and Ecuador says it intends to. But there’s uneasiness in the capitals of Caracas and Quito about what else may be revealed by the FARC laptops – and how Colombian President Alvaro Uribe intends to use it, analysts say.
“There is a temporary rapprochement but the uneasy relationship will continue” as long the computer files are in play, says Michael Shifter, of Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington think tank.
The laptops reportedly detail meetings between FARC leaders and members of Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa’s government – and a possible $20,000 rebel contribution to Mr. Correa’s campaign. Another document, say Colombian officials, indicates Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez planned to make his own contribution to the FARC of $300 million and several hundred used rifles. Based on that information, Mr. Uribe threatened to have Mr. Chávez prosecuted in international courts for sponsoring “genocide.”
After sending troops to the Colombian border, suddenly a week later Chávez called for reconciliation and Correa accepted Colombia’s apology for violating its territory.
Laura Gil, an international relations consultant in Bogotá, says it was the computer files rather than their “vocation for peace,” that led Chávez and Correa to stand down from the conflict.
The Colombian army claims they confiscated 66 pounds of uranium, plots for which they discovered on the laptops seized in the raid. If confirmed, it corroborates the information on those laptops and provides Uribe with leverage over the two nations on his border. At least, that’s the way Chavez and Correa see it, and they have acted quickly to appease the man both excoriated just weeks after calling him an American stooge and fascist warmonger.
What could be on the laptops? We have already heard about the bidirectional financial support between FARC and both Chavez and Correa. Chavez himself may have given an indication by warning that any information linking him to al-Qaeda would be false. “Don’t be alarmed if from that computer they pull a photo of me with [Osama] bin Laden and Manuel Marulanda,” he joked, but that’s a strange statement to make at all. No one until now had associated Chavez with AQ, although certainly he has attempted to ally himself with the Iranian regime that supports radical Islamist terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Uribe has declared a moratorium on any further releases on information from the laptops, now that Chavez and Correa have retreated — at least for the moment. He has granted access to Interpol, though, and the international investigative agency will almost certainly forward its findings to the US, especially on issues of terrorism directed towards Western nations. Whatever that might be, it has Chavez sweating.
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AP is waaay in the bag for Uribe…
Wind Rider on March 28, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Good. Let Chavez sweat a little.
Optimus Prime on March 28, 2008 at 10:05 AM
It’s high time for a trip to the woodshed for Chavez.
ronsfi on March 28, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Nuke Venezuela before Venezuela nukes us! No seriously, but that sweathog is a very VERY dangerous individual to the United States!
Vntnrse on March 28, 2008 at 10:06 AM
If it has Chavez sweating, then I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. I guess both in that if he’s sweating, it must be big given the size of Chavez’ arrogance and chest pounding demeaner.
But it’s good that Columbia is in control of that information and that they’re also considered friends to us.
Geronimo on March 28, 2008 at 10:08 AM
wow, impressive news. If they find enough evidence to prosecute Chavez for genocide, thats just wow.
To bad the UN won’t let any of it happen.
Wyrd on March 28, 2008 at 10:08 AM
The uranium was probably intended for use against us and Chavez was helping facilitate the attack. He’s scared now…
TheBigOldDog on March 28, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Naked pictures of Cindy Sheehan?
James on March 28, 2008 at 10:12 AM
The uranium probably came from Iran… They can trace Uranium right? I think they can. If so, look out, the shit’s about to hit the fan.
TheBigOldDog on March 28, 2008 at 10:12 AM
All I’m saying is, give Special Ops a chance.
Speakup on March 28, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Didn’t Chavez visit Iran? Now if Osama were really in Iran, and not in Waziristan, as I have wondered all along, a picture of the two together might not be impossible. . .
MrLynn on March 28, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Why is the MSM ignoring this?
Why do the Dems still love Hugo?
jgapinoy on March 28, 2008 at 10:13 AM
There are many dangerous people in this world. Chavez ranks right up there with Imanutjob. How easy that people like this gain power, does B. Hussein Obama ring a bell? America be very careful before voting our own Hugo Chavez into office.
jainphx on March 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Hey Hugo, is that sulfur smell coming back?
Just A Grunt on March 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Actually, several years ago, though I don’t think it was ever proven, Chavez was accused by a former aide of sending $1M to al-Qaida.
CP on March 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Dude! Just…Dude!
ronsfi on March 28, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Rumor has it that there were pictures of Hugo doing “unusual” things with a donkey.
TooTall on March 28, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Uribe is a good guy and deserves all the support we can give him.
Mr. Bingley on March 28, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Sorry, sorry…naked pictures of Danny Glover, then?
…
Sean Penn?
James on March 28, 2008 at 10:19 AM
There’s only one answer for Chavez, stop buying Citgo gasoline. If you wanna hurt somebody, hit them in the wallet. To be fair to owners of the gas stations, tell them that you will only buy there for the next month or so, to give them time to get a new contract with another gas company. Tell them why you are doing it. If everyone that posts here were to do this, I’m sure it would get to the MSM and get more traction. This guy’s power stems from people buying “his” fuel. Cut him off at the knees. I don’t buy Citgo, and neither should you….See how fast he’s given the Mussolini treatment by his countrymen. My two cents……………..
adamsmith on March 28, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Yeah, that’s got to be almost a ban-worthy offense!
Mr. Bingley on March 28, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Which has to be considered a crime against humanity. And everything else. There are some places even the devil won’t go.
rbj on March 28, 2008 at 10:28 AM
IMO there is more on the laptops than what is said here.
My guess is there is direct linkage between one or more states for the uranium or support that rattle some cages in the region and at the State Department.
Unfortunately for whatever reason, we are again asleep at the wheel or kept in the dark.
Starlink on March 28, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Mix the two subjects of uranium and Cindy Sheehan together and you get Hugo’s ultimate weapon — a crazed 50-foot tall radioactive loon to sent on the attack against Alvaro Uribe before Chavez releases her ultimate moonbat power on George W. Bush (he’ll sneak her into the United States hidden in a Citgo tanker).
jon1979 on March 28, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I wonder what the western hemisphere will do if it discovers that Chavez is doing the nuclear dance with AQ?
jeanie on March 28, 2008 at 10:36 AM
That’s right on. His policies have resulted in a 70% drop in kidnappings, 2/3 drop in unionist killings, a booming stock market, and sharp drop in unemployment. According to the latest Gallup poll, approximately 80% of Colombians support Uribe, and around 77% support his human rights policies.
Further, his “Democratic Security” counterinsurgency strategy has completely turned the tide in the war against the FARC. The Marxist terrorists are on the run, and the cry of “negotiated settlement!” on the Left is directly proportional to the weight of Uribe’s boot on the FARC’s neck. Finally, he’s a staunch US ally. And for these crimes, he has become a huge villain on the Left.
Golden Boy on March 28, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I wouldn’t equate U.S. silence on this issue with lack of knowledge. The U.S. government wasn’t talking too much about that Israeli air strike in Syria last year.
DCA on March 28, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Interpol could deliver proof positive of Chavez’s operational links with AQ, and still the American press wouldn’t cover it.
My instinct tells me Chavez is actively scheming with AQ. If we don’t watch our step, Cuba will be next.
petefrt on March 28, 2008 at 10:44 AM
And this week Chavez was here in Brazil, with President Lula hailing him as the “great peacemaker”. Gag!
brazilnut on March 28, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Uranium is a naturally occurring element, it’s mined and processed. There may be some way to trace it chemically but I don’t know. I don’t think Iran has uranium deposits so it probably didn’t come from Iran. May have been processed there but most likely came from Africa.
Oldnuke on March 28, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Nothing, sadly.
OldEnglish on March 28, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I agree with you, but if we grant they know, then we are kept in the dark because to acknowledge means Bush has to do something about it. Same with Iran. We know a lot, don’t say much, and won’t do anything because it is an election year and being pro-active is a ‘hot kitchen’ while being reactive in this country is fine with the libs…… a la we deserve it.
Starlink on March 28, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Toronto paper had info and article yesterday about links found on computer to Mr Jones a go between for Congressman (D) McGovern MA. Treacherous traitor.
wepeople on March 28, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Found the link.
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/2377
wepeople on March 28, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I can’t wait until the Brits start sucking the millions of barrels of oil out of the ground on Falkland Island. Competition in the western hemisphere. That’s sure to put a knot in Hugo’s shorts!
leanright on March 28, 2008 at 11:27 AM
HHMMM another bay of pigs?
xler8bmw on March 28, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Didn’t I see this in huge headlines on CNN, The Washington Post, and the NYT?
Think_b4_speaking on March 28, 2008 at 11:42 AM
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Unfortunately their common enemy is the USA.
jukin on March 28, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Maybe Colombia offer Chavez a deal he could’nt refuse.
Johan Klaus on March 28, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Wind Rider on March 28, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Who is in the bag for Chavez?
Johan Klaus on March 28, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Just a couple of quick points:
1. It isn’t the first time they have found uranium, though it is always very low grade. Still. it is a bit difficult to really get a handle on WHY the FARC want it.
2. 30 April will be a big date regarding the computers because that is when their assessment by independent experts is supposed to be ready. Obviously, Chavez and Correa are a bit nervous about that.
3. Even though everyone is awaiting the “official” pronouncement on the veracity of the computers, the Colombian police continue to utilize the information found on them. The arrest in Thailand of an international arms dealer, the location in Costa Rica of almost a half million dollars of FARC money at the exact address shown on the computer, and the arrest in Peru of two FARC operatives exactly where the computer said they would be shows that, despite the polemics about their veracity, they are the real deal. Everyone knows it…including Messrs Chavez and Correa.
Blaise on March 28, 2008 at 12:04 PM
There was also rumors/whispers of prominent so called American liberals and even active Democratic politicians.
This is why Liberals were so freeked out by the terrorist wire tap stuff. When you go two or three levels in relation chains you start running into US liberals and groups.
AQ-Farc-Chavez-Democrats/Hollywood elite
C-Low on March 28, 2008 at 12:11 PM
I remember reading something about “the Americans” telling FARC that Obama was going to be prez
my first thought…dirty bombs
windansea on March 28, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Johan Klaus on March 28, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Cindy, Teddy, Michael, Oliver, Sean, Barbara, Jane…
And the McDermott Travel Agency is probably looking around for some financing for an “exploratory junket to highlight the plight of Venezuelan children” in Maiquetia…the ones living on the beach, at any rate.
Wind Rider on March 28, 2008 at 12:32 PM
This would have never happened if we just let those UN inspectors do their jobs, dammit!!!!
Hugo Chavez is living proof that Satan hates us.
wildweasel on March 28, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Its all our fault don’t cha know…..evil conservatives…Boosh!!!
dmann on March 28, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Get this story to McCain. I think we all understand that all terrorist groups have contact, share information, etc with each other.
And even if not AQ hears of this and makes a deal with them (if not already).
And even without an AQ link, the U.S. is a friend of Columbia and not one of FARC, so they may want to hit us trying to get us to back off.
And even . . . .
- The Cat
MirCat on March 28, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Why did the sun rise in the East today?
What could also be on the computers? Naked pictures of Chavez, Fidel, Michael Moore and Sean Penn.
Entelechy on March 28, 2008 at 2:05 PM
FARC et al surely do not have the technical infrastructure to process it further. They may be middle-men, however, trading it up for money to buy arms - there’s a lucrative route via Chavez to Iran frex.
Grinding it up fine and deploying it as a hazardous pollutant (with or without a bomb) was also my first guess though.
LimeyGeek on March 28, 2008 at 2:15 PM
I’d like to see a Chavez-Lindsay Graham arm waving temper tantrum competition.
Does anyone take this bloated-wannabe-tough-guy seriously?
He is a joke.
Montana on March 28, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Heh, I smell sulfur…
Liberty or Death on March 28, 2008 at 3:02 PM
I smell sizzling pork. :)
ThePrez on March 28, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Yo brazilnut, what do you call Brazil nuts in Brazil? Just wondering.
Akzed on March 28, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Send an air wing of Raptors down to Colombia, just in case…
SuperCool on March 28, 2008 at 4:47 PM