Una mirada a la agrupación originalmente revolucionaria que se transformó en terrorista

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), considered one of the main illegal armed organizations affecting democratic co-existence in Colombia. The presentation is centered on their transformation process since their inception in 1964 until they went from being an originally subversive structure, with legitimate revolutionary ideals and their desire to re-vindicate the oppressed ones, to compete now – like any criminal or delinquent gang – for territorial domains and control of narco-trafficking, their primary economic funding source.

To structure this contents the research carried out in 2006 by the Center for Prospective Intelligence of the Direction of Police Intelligence called: “FARC as a subversive organization and profile of their middlerank commanders,” whose main purpose was to establish the socio-demographic characteristics of the middle ranks commanders integrating such a group.

Through this reflection FARC are described, first of all, as to their origin and structural evolution. Then their main orientation guidelines are presented, as well as the conditions affecting their ideological continuity. Later on, an analysis of how the falling apart of their illegal structure has lead them to center on illicit activities, using –among others – international networks to reach their aims as set in their strategic plan geared towards taking over [legal] power. Lastly, a brief description of the criminal actions of this illegal armed group is made, and how they are framed within the present definition of a terrorist organization.