...

US will not remove terrorist designation on Colombian rebel group

Other News Materials 15 January 2008 01:10 (UTC +04:00)

( dpa ) - The United States has no intention of removing the Colombian leftist militant group known as FARC from its list of terrorist organizations, the US State Department said Monday. "I'm not aware of any substantial change in a pattern of behaviour by the FARC that would merit their being taken off the list," department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "They earned their way onto the terrorism list," he said. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has sought to diminish US influence in Latin America, said Friday the designation against FARC should be lifted because it is an "insurgent," not terrorist, group. FARC, which stands for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has been waging civil war for decades and has often targeted civilians in its campaign while holding hundreds of hostages. Chavez helped mediate the release last week of two women held for more than five years. Chavez regularly lambasts the United States as having imperialistic tendencies and has forged close relations with US foes Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

Latest

Latest