The FARC have managed to spread in Latin America and so recruit members from the region. One confirming factor, according to Luz Maria Sierra, general editor of Colombian magazine "Semana" is the fact that a Mexican girl was part of Raúl Reyes' headquarters who was killed in Ecuador on Saturday March 1st.
"The FARC have been invited to several forums in Latin America. There could be a whole net of movement through parties" adds Sierra by telephone.
In Venezuela, the FARC stand accused by the Colombian government of having camps in that territory. According to the government the zone is used as refuge from the Colombian forces, to replenish, recuperate and maintain those kidnapped.
Three Venezuelan journalists presented a video of a Venezuela army and FARC encounter in June of 2000. However, Chief general of the Venezuelan armed forces Lucas Rincón, said the tape showed only an army humanitarian mission.
According to Spanish newspaper "El País", the FARC would also use Venezuela for arms and drug traffic. December 16th of last year, "El País" published an article in which, after mentioning four FARC deserters identified only by their names, it affirmed the existance of camps in that country allowed by President Hugo Chávez.
In Perú, at the end of 2006, Robinson Rivadeneyra, governor of the Peruvian border department of Loreto, reported presence and FARC activity in that country specially in recruitment of young people into guerrilla forces, something which was later denied by Colombian general Germán Galvis who admitted that the FARC crossed the border but denied recruiting activities in Perú.
In Paraguay six people, accused of murder and kidnaping daugther of Paraguay ex President Raúl Cubas, were detained. Among those detained were Omar Martínez whom President Nicanor Duarte accused of having received training in Colombia at FARC training grounds, something which was verified.
In México the FARC had an office at the Universidad Autónoma de México but was closed at the behest of the Colombian government in 1990, but it was said that in 2003 it was working in clandestine fashion.
Colombian journalist Gonzalo Guillén points out that the FARC have always made a strong presence in those countries which border with Colombia that is Venezuela, Ecuador, Panamá, Perú and Brazil. "However they are most active in Venezuela and Ecuador they are the only two countries where there are entry and exit points (Rumichaca bridge in Ecuador and the Simón Bolívar bridge in Venezuela).
As Colombian journalist María Teresa Ronderos recalled FARC relations with other governments are very old. "In Cuba for instance, they receive medical attention and many retired guerrillas live there. Besides conections with leftist parties from other countries have always existed. They have been received by congressmen, and senators on many different occassions".
Spanish version
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