Politics of Colombia

Colombia’s drug-fueled guerrilla war has gone on for nearly half a century. The last round of peace talks fell apart 10 years ago. The two sides have been meeting in Cuba and may soon start formal peace negotiations. John Otis has the story.

For decades, Colombia has been ravaged by a civil war pitting the left-wing guerrilla group FARC (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia) against right-wing paramilitary organizations. And, in recent months, FARC has persisted in news headlines What is the FARC? The Takeaway looks at the rebel force.

The death of FARC leader Manuel “Sureshot” Marulanda could lead to a political shift in Colombia

Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba has been banned from public office for 18 years for ‘collaborating’ with the FARC. Cordoba helped negotiate the release of several FARC hostages but is now accused of exceeding her role as a mediator. John Otis reports.

A new documentary and book are telling the story of an unlikely member of Colombia’s FARC guerrilla force, a female university professor from the Netherlands. She sought out and joined the FARC rebels about 8 years ago. Reporter John Otis has the story.