Dutch Woman who Joined FARC to Participate in Peace Talks

This week in Cuba, peace talks will begin in earnest between the government of Colombia and the leftist rebel group, the FARC.

Among the FARC leaders in attendance, one sticks out.

Her name is Tanja Nijmeijer.

She’s not from Colombia or even South America – she’s Dutch.

And her story is pretty fascinating.

It’s said that her impressive physical strength and intellect helped to propel her through the rebels’ ranks.

Freelance writer Miriam Wells in Medellin, Colombia, said Tanja Nijmeijer quickly evolved from foreign student to guerilla woman.