Colombia, Spain probe rebel groups’ ties

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia

Spain’s government is investigating links between the Basque separatist group ETA and Colombian FARC rebels, following reports by Colombian officials that the groups have trained together and jointly planned assassinations and bombings.

“We need to investigate because these connections, this alliance, between terrorist groups, as are ETA and FARC, are a reality,” said Spanish Chief Prosecutor Javier Zaragoza.

He submitted a 17-page report to Spain’s highest anti-terrorism court last week accusing ETA members of instructing the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in explosives and car-bomb techniques at rebel camps in the Colombian jungle.

The report, quoted by the Spanish news agency EFE, also mentioned accusations that ETA and FARC may have planned the assassination of top Colombian officials visiting Spain and that the groups also smuggled cocaine into Europe.

ETA, whose acronym stands for Homeland and Liberty in the Basque language, is responsible for more than 800 deaths in Spain during its 40-year struggle for Basque independence.

It has at various times been linked with Cuba and other revolutionary movements in Latin America, according to the U.S. State Department.

FARC has similarly fought a half-century-old war against the Colombian government and has extensive international connections.

Three explosives specialists of the Irish Republican Army, who were contracted by FARC to teach bomb-making techniques, were arrested in Colombia in 2001.

Spain’s most recent investigations have targeted five Basque terrorist suspects, who have been accused of “implementing training courses” and “providing information in the handling of explosives” at rebel camps in Colombia’s southern province of Narino between 2003 and 2007.

The suspects include Martin Capa, Inaki Dominguez Atxalandaburo, Jose Ignacio Urbieta, Jose Angel Urtiaga Martinez and Arturo Cubillas Fontan.

All five individuals are currently outside of Spain, according to Spanish police, who report that Mr. Fontan lives in Venezuela and the rest are thought to be in Cuba.

Spanish National Court Judge Eloy Velasco has said that the suspect list could grow as “others may appear responsible for these deeds during the course of the investigations.”

Judge Velasco has said he will issue international arrest warrants once the police investigation is completed.

Colombian authorities alerted the Spanish government about ETA’s contacts with FARC in July.

Story Continues →