Jane’s: FARC Exposed
A message sent by Tovar on 16 February 2008 alerts Reyes that the 48th Front had recently suffered some desertions and combat casualties. Nevertheless, Tovar said he was planning to detonate as many as 300 explosive devices to damage the Transandino oil pipeline, which runs through Putumayo province, over the following two weeks. There was an attack on the Transandino pipeline on 5 March, but not on the scale planned by Tovar.
Of all the information so far declassified, the most revealing is that which gives a glimpse into the FARC’s relationships with individuals and government officials outside Colombia, especially in Venezuela.
The FARC’s alleged links to the Venezuelan government of President Hugo Chavez have been the subject of intense speculation in recent years.
A number of declassified emails and documents from Reyes’ laptop and hard drives seem to confirm that the Chavez government was working to enhance the FARC’s political legitimacy and offered it substantial financial support in late 2007 and early 2008.
In an email sent on 22 September 2007 to members of the FARC secretariat, Marulanda cites Chavez’s plan to urge other governments to grant the FARC legitimate ‘belligerent status’ rather than classify them as terrorists - a suggestion that Chavez did not make publicly until three months later.
Numerous allegations have been reported in recent years suggesting Chavez has provided material or financial support to the FARC, although none have been supported by reliable evidence. But several emails sent by Luciano Marin, alias Ivan Marquez, another member of the secretariat, suggest an offer of financial support.