[Marxism] Betancourt's halo [SIC] under spotlight

[Jscotlive at aol.com]

Luko:
 
But the fact is that the FARC takes prisoners in order to exchange them for  
money or the release of some of their people in the government's goals.  

I don't think this helps to advance politically and to undermine the  
political 
base of the Bogotà regime. 

Reply:
 
I don't see how we can disapprove of a revolutionary movement carrying out  
actions in solidarity with its members and comrades incarcerated by the  enemy.
 
Attempting to explain the lack of advance or success of the FARC as a  
consequence of tactics is to miss the point that they are acting in a position  of 
weakness not strength. Material conditions of struggle determine actions, not  
the other way around. The huge infusion of US military support and aid in the  
region, going back to Plan Colombia and maintained in response to the 
leftward  shift that has taken place with the emergence of Chavez, has resulted in 
huge  pressure being exerted against the FARC. This pressure has culminated in 
the  series of setbacks to have befallen them over the past year or so. As 
such, they  are currently in no position to advance anything other than their own  
survival.