BP and Right-wing Paramilitaries in Colombia

https://declassifieduk.org/bps-financing-of-colombias-murderous-military/

The documents referenced here merely confirm what was already known – both governments and corporations were involved in the financing and arming of Right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia.

Western media tells a tale of Left-wing guerilla violence which is true enough. But the story is misleading when this other crucial aspect is left out – that of Right-wing paramilitary violence, some of which was directly connected to the Colombian military. This alone changes things and then the story is magnified on another level when one understands just who was (and is) backing these groups.

In this case the focus is on BP and the British Foreign Office. This should be a scandal of epic proportions but the Establishment media won't touch it – or at best they gloss over and whitewash, or even bury the story.

And yet one cannot understand the response of the Colombian peasantry and rural classes apart from this larger tale. One's understanding of the long-standing civil conflict will be impoverished and based on deliberate obfuscation.

And let it be understood – this isn't about just some armed groups. No, this is death squads and torture, and just like the FARC, there are repeated episodes of kidnapping.

Once one understands something of the larger story, then it's not too difficult to understand why groups like the FARC and the ELN were targeting pipeline infrastructure and seeking to break the will of these companies by means of kidnapping – which already raised funds for them to wage war.

The Bogota government is revealed as weak and existing at the behest of these (mostly Anglo-American) oil companies. They don't want to pay taxes, and they view their funding of military activities as more than a sufficient payment to the Bogota regime. It's hard not to laugh when one reads how BP officials wanted to write loans to the Colombian government. What is postured as conciliatory or a gesture of goodwill is little more than another opportunity to cash-in on the situation – and provide further protection for BP's own interests.

The statistics given are not comprehensive but rather telling and they condemn Western coverage of the situation. In fact it is the military and Right-wing groups combined that have the most blood on their hands. You will not hear that reported in the mainstream media.

Defence Systems Limited, the mercenary company mentioned in the article had deep ties with British military and intelligence. Basically it was an operation run by ex-SAS members – and this during the time of Thatcher's privatisation campaigns. Before the post-9/11 golden age, the 1980's under Reagan and Thatcher were something of a heyday for mercenary types.

Big companies and big industries often rely on such muscle, and the campaign of intimidation and even murder of activists and whistleblowers is familiar ground. I was reminded of the nuclear industry and how it treated such people.

The author quotes those who are confident that BP will be held accountable. I'm not so sure. These are explosive stories that are receiving little attention. Should the coverage escalate to the point that mainstream outlets are forced to cover it – there will be a lot of bureaucracy and delays and in the end maybe a fall guy or two. But it will be a far cry from anything smacking of accountability.

The story fits patterns we see elsewhere. It's encouraging that some people are paying attention and certainly with the Internet there are more resources than ever. That said, in this age of social media and endless distraction – not to mention the disinformation campaigns, it's hard not to be cynical.

And the truth is the story hasn't ended, the situation just continues to evolve as the world of drugs, energy, and politics continue to change. Some might be encouraged by Left-wing gains being made in Colombian politics. Maybe something will come of it but more likely it will mark the final cover-up and whitewash as these figures become corrupted. For the sake of money and power, many one-time idealists will play their part in burying or spinning the story.