Talking About Colombia

FARC commander “Pablo Alape” and General Alzate.

The photo above, of FARC Commander alias “Pastor Alape” (left) and General Rubén Darío Alzate (right), was taken as the general was released last Sunday. General Alzate was kidnapped by the FARC in Choco region and held captive for 15 days. He was the highest ranked military to have ever been kidnapped, which led President Santos to suspend talks until his release.

Many were not sure how legitimate was the photo above: The men, dressed as civilians, represent two opposing sides of Colombia’s conflict, and now, they appeared extending their arms as if to embrace. What were the true circumstances?

Days later, of the photo, General Alzate said he was forced to perform for the cameras. 

But what is spontaneous is the photo below, of a mother who lost her son in a FARC attack hugging a demobilized FARC member. Martha Luz Amorocho lost 20-year-old Alejandro when the FARC detonated bombs in El Nogal Club in Bogotá on February  7, 2003. The bombs left 36 people dead, and more than 200 wounded.

Martha Luz Amorocho, who lost her son in a terrorist attack, embraces a demobilized FARC member.