Colombian news magazine Semana reports that rebel group FARC was deeply involved in politics in Ecuador and Venezuela, citing documents (confirmed by the AP) detailing correspondence between FARC leaders and politicians of Venezuela and Ecuador. Among the allegations: that FARC considered funding Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa’s 2006 campaign. Oversight and regulation of political financing in Ecuador is poor, earning a very weak rating in the latest Global Integrity Report: Ecuador.
BOGOTA, March 10 (UPI) — Colombian leftist rebels reportedly discussed contributing up to $100,000 to the campaign of Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa.
The popular magazine Semana said documents discovered on the laptop computer of slain Colombian rebel leader Raul Reyes showed his Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, considered donating the money ahead of Correa’s 2006 election, The Miami Herald reported Monday. It was not clear if any money was indeed sent to the Ecuadorian leader’s campaign on behalf of FARC.
The rebel group and Reyes were at the center of a diplomatic firestorm last week when Colombian forces entered Ecuadorian territory to kill the leader and 16 other FARC members.
