By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, both the ELN and dissident FARC factions issued defiant statements condemning the action as a violation of regional sovereignty and vowing armed resistance. The ELN expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan government, calling on Latin American nations to reject U.S. aggression. The dissident FARC members echoed this call, stating their readiness to fight against the U.S. “empire.” These statements followed the capture of Nicolás Maduro, leading to heightened concerns about the potential for further U.S. military actions in the region, particularly in neighboring Colombia.
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Colombian Guerrillas Vow to Spend ‘Last Drop of Blood Fighting the US Empire’ After Attack on Venezuela… Well, this is a headline that grabs your attention, doesn’t it? It’s a statement that immediately brings to mind the FARC, those notoriously tough Colombian guerrillas. They’ve been a thorn in the side of the Colombian government for years, and now they’re apparently ready to take on the United States Empire, again, after an event in Venezuela.
As expected, it looks like this situation is impacting their cocaine trade logistics. This is likely the real driver behind their strong words. Reports suggest they’ve been disrupted in their operations in Bolívar State, a place where they’ve been mining. You’ve got to remember, the FARC isn’t entirely gone; a lot of them have shifted their aims and views over time, but the core of anti-US sentiment seems to remain.
So, you have the same Colombian guerrillas who have been fighting an insurgency against their own government, now stepping up to condemn a foreign intervention in Venezuela. The question is, can they sustain it? Insurgencies are incredibly complex, and it’s easy to underestimate the effort required to keep one going. You need more than just the will to fight.
To be successful, any insurgency needs outside support to supply them. Think about it: weapons, ammunition, training, safe havens. It’s significantly easier to pull off if you have a large border with a friendly nation that can provide those resources. History is full of examples like the support for insurgents in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam. However, the Colombian and Venezuelan jungles, while offering freedom of movement for the rebels, lack the easy supply routes that allow a benefactor nation to provide the necessary support.
Of course, the whole thing brings to the surface the long history of conflict in Latin America and the struggles for basic rights. There’s a lot of emotion connected to these conflicts and the historical struggles against both internal and external forces. The US, with its own mixed record in supporting or interfering with such conflicts, seems to have already removed its formal military presence.
This situation does however offer a chance for the Colombian cartels to take advantage, especially if they unite. It’s hard to imagine, but could we see a united front against an outside intervention? It is possible that the FARC will be able to take advantage of the political landscape.
Guerilla warfare is a beast, particularly in a jungle environment, something the US has experience with, though the results have been mixed at best. Modern technology might change things, but the jungles offer ample hiding places, and mechanized warfare struggles there. The question is whether these guerrillas are actually a force to be reckoned with or if they’ve been diminished to a point of irrelevancy.
It’s tempting to see this as a David vs. Goliath situation, but it’s important to keep perspective. The US has considerable resources, including advanced weaponry like drones and thermal vision. While the guerrillas can promise to fight to the last drop, they may have significantly less to work with, especially as drug money potentially dries up.
It’s easy to picture the impact of conflict on the people, and the willingness of individuals to sacrifice for what they believe in. The irony is that the fighters themselves, including our sons and daughters, would be the ones to suffer the most.
Finally, the question remains: where will this fight happen? The US seems to have learned from some of their past battles in this kind of scenario, and the jungles of Colombia offer cover for guerilla forces. It is possible that they are already planning the eventual scenario.