Crimes of War

Colombia, a nation on the verge of implosion after decades of convulsive violence. "This is a war of the mad, the demented, and the psychopaths," a Colombian policeman told one of our authors. Our expert contributors cut through the madness to analyze the root causes, unlikely alliances, and institutional failures that caused, and continue to foment, the conflict.

www.crimesofwar.org

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"Today more than 4200 people are kidnapped in Colombia

name: Pablo EmilioMoncayo Cabrera
Age: 25 years
Occupation: Cape Second Army
Date of kidnapping: 12/21/1997 12/21/1997
Time captivity: 11 years


Las voces del secuestro

July 20

El tiempo.com

Walkout

Pais libre

Fundacion pais libre

The Others

Semana .com

All the hijackers, but particularly the FARC, they should heed the call of the entire society, dumped in the streets, make them once again. This Sunday, July 20 again throughout Colombia repudiation kidnapping on the streets and crying out for the return, alive, of all abductees. And should leave as often as necessary. Because Colombian society begins to understand that the brutal power of barbarism he can raise the power of the civilized and magnificent mass mobilization. A popular voice that the barbarians can not ignore.

Public statement by Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell

Photo by Norma Guerra
http://www.army.mil/-images/2008/07/05/18624/

First, we want to assure everyone that we're all doing fine. Words alone can never possibly express the thrill and excitement we feel to be back home in the United States of America with our families at our side.

There are obviously many people we want to thank. Most of all, we want to thank our families: for their patience, for their love and for their support. For five and a half long years, we all hoped and prayed this day would come. Now that it has, we're just overwhelmed with emotion. The love and the joy we're all experiencing is beyond description.

Next, we want to offer our heartfelt thanks to the Government and the Armed Forces of Colombia. The operation they conducted to rescue us was one for the history books-something we will never forget for the rest of our lives. Colombia is a great nation with a great people, and the struggle they have endured with the FARC for more than 40 years is a shining testament to their great spirit: like the loved ones here with us now, they never gave up in the belief that human kindness and decency would ultimately prevail. To all those still held in captivity, our prayers and our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. We haven't forgotten you, and we never will.

To our employer, Northrop Grumman, our sincere appreciation for your dedication and consistent support to our precious families throughout this ordeal.

Finally, we want to recognize our own United States Government who never forgot us, as evidenced by the tireless efforts of the superb team of men and women in the United States Embassy, Bogotá, Colombia. Specifically, here at Fort Sam Houston, we want to thank General Huber of United States Army South, General Gilman of the Brooke Army Medical Center, Colonel Martinson of Garrison, Fort Sam Houston, and their staffs, for the warm hospitality they've provided us and our families. The personal and professional concern they have taken in our well-being is deeply touching, and the reintegration process they are conducting on our behalf is worthwhile and important. We are all obviously eager to return home, but first we want to complete this entire process so we can return to our lives in the best physical and emotional shape possible.

We understand that a lot of people are eager to see and hear from us, and they will. But right now, more than anything, we just want to be with our loved ones. We ask that the media respect our privacy as we reunite with our families. Rest assured, we will respond to your questions in the near future.


Photo by Norma Guerra
http://www.army.mil/-images/2008/07/05/18624/