In Colombia, Fénix and Jaque are words that have earned a whole new meaning. No doubt, they will remain in the minds of many Colombians for decades to come, in the same place where they keep memories related to events as important as the Siege of the Palace of Justice in 1985 or the death of Pablo Escobar in 1992. The two words were used as code names in the most important operations that Colombia’s military forces have undertaken in the recent past. Indeed, they altered the scenery of the conflict between the Colombian state and the FARC, perhaps forever.
Fénix brought upon the death of FARC commander Raúl Reyes in northern Ecuador in March 2008. Jaque, carried out a year ago, produced the liberation of fifteen FARC-held hostages, including Ingrid Betancourt, a former presidential candidate, and three American contractors.
Both military operations represented a heavy blow to the FARC, weakening their bargaining position, exposing their links with leftist leaders in Latin America and reminding everyone once again that they are the world’s most vicious kidnappers. The two are symbols of how much President Uribe has achieved in the fight against FARC. They were momentous events that filled the Colombian military and the government with the support and the gratitude of thousands of citizens. With Fénix and Jaque, history was in the making.
But success in the two operations was never a certainty for the Uribe administration. Fénix and Jaque could have gone terribly wrong and the government put a great deal at stake when they ordered the military to carry them out. Bombarding Reyes’ camp in Ecuadorean territory without the authorization or the knowledge of that government was illegal and awfully risky. It could very well be interpreted as an act of war, and indeed, Venezuela seemed eager to start one with Colombia over the issue.
The diplomatic storm that came after the attack could have had disastrous consequences for the Colombian government, after no other head of state in the Americas, besides President Bush, supported President Uribe’s decision. The liberation of the eleven hostages was an extremely dangerous bet, as well. Deceiving the kidnappers and taking those men and women to freedom without firing a single shot was no easy task. With one small inconsistency, the ruse could have ended in a bloodbath and in a huge disaster of international proportions. Such a conclusion may well have spelled the end for Mr. Uribe’s unbelievable popularity.
With that much at stake, many a leader would have withdrawn into inaction. If Reyes was not killed then, perhaps the military could capture him later. Would it really make a difference if the hostages were not freed that day? It is easy to picture fainthearted advisers asking the President to be prudent and wait. But Mr. Uribe knew that he was doing the right thing. With the bravest, best trained soldiers in Latin America under his command, he had the courage to say ‘go’ and play with whatever cards he had. Surely, he was well aware of the dangers and the consequences ahead of him, but he was ready to take responsibility for the outcome. Indeed, he fared the diplomatic fallout of both Fénix and Jaque with mastery, facing allegations over the intrusion on Ecuadorean territory and the use of the Red Cross emblem. The President’s determination without hesitation was key to the success of the operations – that same attitude has made him the great leader that has revived Colombia.
Now, a new presidential campaign is starting to unfold. Far too many politicians have expressed their desire to run for the highest office in the country, and the electorate is understandably confused about who should lead Colombia until 2014. No doubt, what the country needs is somebody who finishes the work of Mr. Uribe and who is able to make the tough decisions that come with the presidency. Colombia needs someone with guts. So, dear voter, when you decide which candidate you shall support throughout this long road towards election day, ask yourself this question: would your candidate have had the backbone to order operations Fénix and Jaque if she/he had been in President Uribe’s shoes? If the answer is no, or you are unsure, choose someone else. Colombia is too dangerous a country to have a feeble leader on top. We need no cowards living in Palacio de Nariño.
Bear this short test in mind and use it when you make your pick for President. Colombia will only win this long crusade against death and crime under a strong leader who is not afraid of big gambles and who is willing to defend the interests of Colombia before the international community. Fénix and Jaque will be remembered as two of the best moments of the Uribe administration, but once Mr. Uribe leaves the job, someone else will have to fight the many battles to come with the same determination. The choice, dear voter, is in your hands. Don’t mess it up.
Author Gustavo Silva is Colombian and studies
Public Policy and International Affairs at Princeton University in the
U.S. He has his personal weblog.
ahughes
said:
 |
... And perhaps Colombia should consider a President who doesn't flout international law by dressing his soldiers up in the Red Cross outfits?! |
ahughes
said:
|
... P.S. This is the most hysterical, masturbatory piece of "Boy's Own" political analysis that I have read so far this year. Great work! |
