PILAR DÍAZ
EL UNIVERSAL
 
It seems that the largest guerrillas in Colombia lost their last and most important ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. This puts pressure on the rebel group to look for a negotiated peace and free the hostages, said Alfredo Rangel, a political scientist and director of Colombia's Foundation for Safety and Democracy.
 
"The Venezuelan president's statement results from his conviction about the political and military failure of the guerrillas of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC)."
 
The Colombian analyst added that there is also the Venezuelan president's interest in "keeping publicly his distance from FARC due to the finding of several documents, through Raúl Reyes' computer, that would show the recent relations of cooperation and support between the Venezuelan government and the guerrillas."
 
In addition to the military pressure on FARC, it should be noted that presently the guerrillas have "98 percent of refusal by the Colombian society, they have no links with social, economic and political struggle. And they are present in the farthest and most outlying areas," Rangel explained.
 
According to the Colombian analyst, like FARC, President Chávez "is one of the most rejected persons, along with (Colombian) Senator Piedad Córdoba, in the national and international political arena."
 
In Rangel's view, the detention of two Venezuelans last June 6 in possession of ammunition for FARC "is another evidence of the support provided by Venezuelan government officials to the guerrillas. It is not an isolated fact; it forms an integral part of a state policy."
 
While Alfonso Cano, recently appointed as the new top FARC leader, is considered a guerrilla man from the old Stalinist school, Chávez's appeal could help "for them to realize that violence has no future in Colombia and dialogue is viable following the hostages' handover."
 
"FARC has two ways -either continue the armed struggle with no chance of success or opt for a serious dialogue. Let us see which step they will take," said Rangel.
 
Congratulations and uncertainty
In the meantime, Peruvian President Alan García congratulated his Venezuelan counterpart for requesting the guerrillas the hostages' freedom.
 
"I congratulate him. I am certain that his request will be met, because Chávez has plenty of influence, proximity, because he has defended them," said García.
 
"Let us see if President Chávez's words are just that -words. Let us see whether these words are followed by specific actions," said US Department of State Spokesman Sean McCormack, DPA quoted.
 
The spokesman doubted about the Venezuelan government intentions due to its presumed links with FARC.

Translated by Conchita Delgado