Just hours after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called on FARC guerillas to free all hostages without pre-condition, the Washington Post acknowledged its own longstanding ties to the Colombian rebels in a stunning front-page declaration.
The Post, once considered a respectable journal of record, gushes over FARC leader Alfonso Cano, calling him a “tough intellectual,” “bookish,” and even “meteoric.” The article acknowledges a dialogue between senior staff reporters and Mr. Cano dating to 2000, indicating that the relationship goes back at least 8 years, although the origins and depth of the relationship remain shrouded in mystery. The FARC are considered a terrorist organization by the United States Government, and the disclosure may further pressure the State Department to list the newspaper as a media sponsor of terrorism.
Experts are divided over why the Post chose this timing to release the bombshell disclosure. Critics contend that the emerging story may undermine the disarmament process initiated by Chavez. Venezuelan authorities have declined to comment for fear of disrupting the peace effort. BoRev.Net remains committed to following further developments as they become available.
