Bad Year for Guerrillas

Semana has an interesting piece about how Colombia’s FARC, the 40-year-old guerrilla organization, had a miserable year. Most famously, there was "Operation Checkmate," in which former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages were freed in a daring rescue in July. Serious command, control, and loyalty problems with FARC were brought to light. And if that weren't enough, "Tirofijo" (Sureshot), the head of the organization, died in March of a heart attack. The news led many Colombians to think—and perhaps hope—that the group, once seen as unbeatable in the battlefield, could be dismantled.