“My conscience absolves me and I join the ranks of so many others who history can and will absolve.”
These were the words of Ricardo Palmera, lead negotiator for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC),
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Palmera was accused of conspiracy to commit a kidnapping in connection to the capture of three U.S. defense contractors by the FARC on Feb. 13, 2003. The contractors’ small plane was downed over FARC controlled territory while carrying out spy work for the Pentagon.
At his sentencing, Palmera spoke for an hour, railing against the corrupt and oppressive Colombian government. While Palmera denounced terrorism and said he hoped the hostages would be released, he rightfully asserted that the actions of the FARC were part of a legitimate military struggle against the Colombian government.
Palmera admitted serving as the chief negotiator and spokesman for the FARC during discussions over the release of the U.S. contractors, but denied ever seeing or holding them hostage himself.
Palmer is 57-years old. The sentence means that he would get out of prison at age 117. The sentence also shuts down any possibility of negotiations for the release of the three contractors. According to Carlos Lozano, who has served as a mediator between the FARC and the Colombian government: “After this, the FARC will have absolutely no interest in freeing the three Americans. This shuts down the possibility of a goodwill gesture by the guerrillas to free one of the Americans.”
While Palmera likely will spend the rest of his life in a U.S. prison for negotiating on behalf of the FARC, the Pentagon continues to carry out spying operations and provide support for the Colombian military in its war against the revolutionary movement.
The conviction of Palmera is another attempt by Washington to demonize the FARC and undermine its legitimate struggle against the corrupt Colombian government. The goal is to legitimize the U.S. government’s phony claim that the FARC is a terrorist organization. It opens the door to further prosecution against Colombian citizens in U.S. federal courts.
The sentencing of Palmera must be seen as part of a much larger war being waged by the U.S. and Colombian governments against the revolutionary movement. The U.S. government has given over $4 billion to the repressive Colombian military since 2000. There are currently 1,400 U.S. personnel directing and participating the civil war.
Revolutionaries and progressives in the United States should condemn the show trial, conviction and unjust sentence rendered against Ricardo Palmera.
