Counterterrorism Blog

Authentication of the information reportedly found in the computers seized after Colombia's March 1 raid on FARC camps in Ecuador has been coming in concrete form. First there was the discovery March 14 of $480,000 in cash held in a safe in a resident of a couple outside San Jose, Costa Rica, precisely where it had been reported to have been stored according to information found in the computer. Then, on March 26 Colombia announced that on March 20 it had seized up to 66 pounds of uranium, linked to the FARC guerrillas, hidden off the side of a road in southern Bogotá, again corroborating data previously reported found in the computers of FARC commander Raul Reyes, killed in the cross-border raid. The FARC computers had discussed selling up to 50 kilos of uranium to unspecified governments that might be interested in acquiring it. Notably, the press accounts suggest the uranium was not weapons grade. According to the Colombia military, a sample of the uranium was provided by the miltiary to experts at the Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining, who confirmed the sample to be what was characterized as "depleted uranium."

Still, the latest revelation, should it be validated, provides further reason to believe that narco-terrorists with nuclear material are no longer the merely confined to Hollywood thrillers, but are dangerously real-world, requiring a real-world response, including from Colombia's neighbors, who need to decide whether they are serious about confronting terrorists in their midst.

FARC's operational, financial, logistical, and political networks now face exposure, and those who have directly facilitated terrorist or criminal activity -- regardless of their political position -- need to face practical consequences. Such consequences can include such responses as the imposition of economic sanctions and asset freezes, the bringing of criminal indictments, the loss of the right to travel in countries registering objections to those doing business with or supporting terrorists. But there have to be consequences, and they need to be multilateral, not confined to issuance by Bogota and Washington.

First, some honesty about what happened. Then, after the dose of reality, practical steps to deter those with public responsibilities who have chosen to become partners with an organization that specializes in drug trafficking and bombings. Ideas are welcome.