Threat of war


We've just registered with the British Embassy in Bogotá because of the threat of war. Our missionary colleagues in Latin Link have made contingency plans for leaving the country. Troops and tanks are threatening Colombia north and south. Silly songs about Ecuador and Venezuela play on the radio and a neighbour was out panic buying.

It all started on Saturday morning when Raul Reyes, a bad rascal, was killed by Colombian forces He was the second in command of FARC, the main left-wing guerrilla movement in the country. There was widespread rejoicing. Even children's television was interrupted with the news.

The trouble was that to kill him Colombian troops went across the border into Ecuador. By Sunday, Ecuador's allies Venezuela had threatened Colombia with war and sent 10 battalions to the northern border. On Monday Ecuador had troops facing Colombia in the south. And on Tuesday Colombia analysed the captured FARC computers and made an international case against Venezuela's President for genocide.

We're not in the least worried. But just in case: Lord, thank you the sewing room is thriving, and I know this sounds selfish, but may I be left in peace to teach hermeneutics and John's gospel.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7276228.stm


Photo: Colombia's countryside on a pleasant outing.
But guerrillas control border areas like this.

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