The notorious FARC guerrillas and the Colombian government may indeed caution towards a historic peace treaty stride, the conflict between the army, right-wing paramilitaries and leftist rebels is the longest and bloodiest conflict ever in a Latin American country, and keep the rebels for now in their well-hidden and heavily guarded camps in the jungle.
Photographers and camera crews include Associated Press did not know where to look when they were in January a unique insight into 'the hole of the FARC-lion'. What especially struck them? How many strong women are.
Painted nails and grenades
Rebels with lipstick, painted nails, grenades and a machine gun; it has long been known that there are many women in Colombia FARC rebels, but the unique view into the hidden camp somewhere in Antioquia last month offers a fascinating glimpse into life in the jungle rebels.
The women have the same status as men, slaughter pigs without problem and do everything men do. But with a touch of moisturizer and makeup. Do not underestimate the female FARC rebels especially. These women are no kittens to address without gloves.
Ruthlessly
"They are the worst," says an undercover agent of the Special Forces. "If you are captured, you pray that it's by male rebels. The female guerrilla combatants are the wildest and most brutal interrogators," added the agent. "They are more ideological than men. They are relentless."
But for the women themselves the rebels life is ruthless. The rebels hold there than among themselves loving relationships after, according to a report from 2014 by the BBC must FARC women who become pregnant are forced abortion.
Other rebels who had put a child into the world, their children looked to be removed. The BBC spoke to several mothers rebels who fled and are desperately searching for their disappeared sons and daughters.
No winners
The years of conflict in Colombia since 1964 claimed more than 220,000 deaths. Some five million people fled.
"If this war ends, the one without winners," says Commander Juan Pablo, who lost his girlfriend six months ago in an uphill battle. "Politics is also much harder and more difficult than war", he says.
Source: AP, Washington Post, Daily Mail / © AP
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties