Warming up

[Cali vet]

Things seem to be warming up in Colombia. I read on Caracol that they are beefing up security at the Cali airport today, that there have been guerilla attacks on Tulua and Buga, that nine politicians were kidnapped in the middle of Cali with the police having freed five of them so far and that the airport in Barranquilla was briefly closed to prevent guerillas from using it to escape a nearby battle. Selfishly speaking I would have prefered things to be more tranquil for my up coming visit.

[Michael B]

... in response to Warming up, posted by Cali vet on Apr 11, 2002

Yeah, Sunday I was talking to a lady in Cali, she said that she saw the government helicptors, about "5 minutes by car" from her house and said there was gunfire from the helicptors, which (she thought) was the army shooting at rebels on the ground.

Meanwhile, all H*** is breaking out in Venezuela, 150,000 protesters in the streets, and depending on which reports you beleive, at least 12, maybe as many as 40 of them shot dead by snipers, tanks in the streets and all TV and most radio stations off the air. Earlier today, some people actualy in Ven. were saying in a Yahoo news chat were saying (rumors, uncomfirmed) that the snipers were FARC instead of Ven. military.

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Warming up, posted by Michael B on Apr 11, 2002

Radio just said that there has been a military coup in Venezuela and that the army has overthrown Chavez. NFI

[pack]

... in response to UPDATE on Venezuela, posted by Michael B on Apr 11, 2002

it was just a matter of time...this has been coming for awhile...good castro loses another buddy

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: UPDATE on Venezuela, posted by pack on Apr 11, 2002


FARC also loses a buddy.

[pack]

... in response to Re: Re: UPDATE on Venezuela, posted by Hoda on Apr 12, 2002

yup! all the bad guys are shakin in their boots...and thinking.."could we be next"

[TexasRob]

... in response to Warming up, posted by Cali vet on Apr 11, 2002

Yeah I just heard about the kidnapping.  I work with a guy from Cali and he called his folks, they told him a bomb went of somewhere in the city but they didn't know where.  I arrive in Cali tomorrow night.  Kinda wish I was going later.  If things get real crazy there I might check out Cartagena.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Warming up, posted by TexasRob on Apr 11, 2002

Have a safe trip, I'll be right behind you. I'm sure it'll be fine as long as we don't roam too far afield. I don't think I'll be making any bus trips out of Cali this time though.

[pack]

... in response to Warming up, posted by Cali vet on Apr 11, 2002

things in colombia are gonna get worse before they get better. stay aware will in cali.

[Slowandtru]

... in response to Re: Warming up, posted by pack on Apr 11, 2002

Just got back from Cali a couple of weeks ago. It was not like the previous trips. Violence, kidnapping, roadblocks, Blackhawks overhead in the good neighborhoods, bombs going off downtown and being locked in stores until the coast was clear. Not long before I left they assassinated the Bishop of Cali. A REALLY bad deed. The female Senator they kidnapped and waxed during my stay turned out to have been the work of her husband and sister.  ...so the bad guys don't always wear rubber boots.

The Presidential elections are coming up very soon. Look for much more violence if Uribe gets elected which he almost certainly will.

My Fiancee called me today to tell me about the taking of the City Counselors hostage. Tip of the iceberg. It's gonna get bad, guys. Be careful.

Just got an IM from Luz. Gotta go. Good luck