On the first of March, 2008, Colombian Special Forces launched an operation several miles into Ecuadorian territory, killing the commander of FARC (the revolutionary armed forces of Colombia), Raúl Reyes. In the process, the Colombian Special Forces captured a computer of Reyes, containing detailed information about the FARC’s contacts, representatives, and illegal activities not only in Latin America, but indeed all over the world.

These among many other European countries are where the FARC found refuge in Europe. Of course the greatest presence can be felt right in Latin America, with FARC involved in nearly every Latin American country. Semana.com, a popular Colombian magazine, managed to obtain and analyze many of the files from Reyes’ computer. Analysis of the documents reveals that the FARC had some kind of presence or influence in at least twenty-nine countries around the world. Semana, Colombia's leading news magazine, published two major articles about this network. They can be found at:

• The world of the FARC (Part I: Europe)
• The world of the FARC (Part II: America)

As it turns out, ETA, the Basque separatist group based in Spain, had an active relationship with FARC, including ETA members training FARC members in explosives.

Sweden and Norway were two other countries in which the FARC had a presence. A leftist Swedish radio station, Café stereo, had in fact been receiving funding from the FARC. In Norway, there existed an organization known as the Norwegian Socialist Youth League. Several members of this group had traveled to Colombia to receive both political and military training in FARC camps.

These among many other European countries are where the FARC found refuge in Europe. Of course the greatest presence can be felt right in Latin America, with FARC involved in nearly every Latin American country.

These among many other European countries are where the FARC found refuge in Europe. Of course the greatest presence can be felt right in Latin America, with FARC involved in nearly every Latin American country. In Costa Rica, thanks to information gleaned from the computer of Reyes, an amount of half a million dollars was found that belonged to the FARC. The territory of Costa Rica’s southern neighbor, Panama, was used for fundraising and money laundering for the FARC. There is also evidence that guns and munitions in the FARC’s possession were acquired from certain sectors of the Nicaraguan government.

These among many other European countries are where the FARC found refuge in Europe. Of course the greatest presence can be felt right in Latin America, with FARC involved in nearly every Latin American country. However, one of the most stalwart allies of the FARC is Venezuela. Unlike other Latin American governments that may provide clandestine sanctuary or help for the FARC, Hugo Chávez, the president of Venezuela, has made no secret of where his loyalties lie. Not only having come out in public support of the FARC’s struggle, senior members of his government have provided military and economic support to the FARC.

These among many other European countries are where the FARC found refuge in Europe. Of course the greatest presence can be felt right in Latin America, with FARC involved in nearly every Latin American country. As President Uribe of Colombia continues to make significant strides against the FARC rebels, and as their political power continues to decline, it will be interesting to see if they will have the continued economic and strategic power to maintain this global network.