The 48 years of struggle by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP) that we mark this May 27 is the best proof that a people conscious, organized and disciplined cannot be overcome even by the most powerful enemies. From Marquetalia to today, the growing and increasingly trained Colombian armed forces have been behind us in a fierce predatory activity, biding its time with the Pentagon’s military advice and financial assistance from the United States. Each of the successive governments has promised to beat us, yet the oligarchy has been frustrated in their purpose and instead left behind a bloodied country. …
Those truly responsible for all the infamy suffered by Colombia are the owners of capital and land, which century after century take as their birthright the exclusive right to further expand their wealth and run the country, at the cost of labor and sweat of the vast majority of the people, dispossessed and dreaming of changing the inherited order of things. A facade of formal democracy poorly hides the true character of the political regime. They implemented the practice in our country of terrorism, of fire and sword to defend their privileges. But they call terrorists those who seek justice, who teach reading and writing where the state has failed. …
President Santos simply repeats what his class has always done. He once again demands the surrender and disarmament of the guerrillas in exchange for support to the rotten political system. Without removing the terrorist apparatus of domination. Without changing at all the colonial project that has impoverished the country. As if we could turn away from the feelings of millions of countrymen sunk in despair and violence in exchange for miserable personal perks. As if the natural destiny of the Colombian people was forever to enrich privileged elite. So we’re not going anywhere.
The FARC-EP, at 48 years of armed struggle by the rebellious people of Colombia, reiterate our pledge to beat the oligarchy and imperialism. We will never join the campaign to legitimize and honor the capitalism and state terror that is called “democracy” in our country. We know we are not alone; we hear the groundswell of vast masses of unhappy people who have decided to move despite the threats and repression, to demand profound changes. It is a universal cry. For the conservation of the planet and our species, to give men and women a different existence from ordinary capital, we need real peace and justice.
The most recent effects of free trade are the misfortunes of the peoples of Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Honduras, and Mexico, not to mention Spain and Greece. Destruction, death and horror hide behind the most beautiful fabrics with speeches about the virtues of market democracy. Looting and fear are guaranteed by the military threat from NATO and the Marines. They crush the people to serve imperial plans.
A solidarity greeting to all. And eternal glory to the resistance of the peoples ofIran,Syria,North Korea,CubaandVenezuela, besieged, dignified and triumphant in the face of brutal imperialist aggression.
With Bolivar! With Manuel! With the people! … The power!
Against Imperialism! For Country …!
Against the oligarchy! For the People …!
We are FARC! People’s Army …!
Central Secretariat of the FARC-EP
Mountains of Colombia, May 27, 2012.
