His throat was slit by his kidnappers during a pursuit by security forces.

The BBC reports:  Kidnapped Colombian governor found with throat slit.

Hence as I noted yesterday:  the FARC need no help in demonizing themselves.

Not only are there obvious and horrible crimes on display here, it is vexing as to what the political or tactical gain was being sought through such actions.

Yes, Cuellar was a member of the government that the FARC is fighting (although he came from a center-left party that might be more sympathetic to negotiations than the uribista parties—and hence a tactically odd choice); and yes, the FARC see kidnapped politicians as bargaining chips for possible prisoner exchanges.  However, kidnapping has not led to the desired release of captured FARC rebels to date—nor is it likely to do so in the future.  Indeed, actions like this will simply increase the resolve of both the Uribe administration, and the general populace, to increase the fight against the FARC.   Further, rather than striking a blow for the revolution by fighting the oligarchs, the policy of kidnapping has made the FARC more and more unpopular with the Colombian people.

Politically, high profile crimes of this nature committed by leftist guerrillas will help Uribe in his quest for re-election,¹ as the Colombian public, in large numbers, credit his “democratic security” policies with quelling violence and placing the FARC on its heels.  If the public thinks that the FARC is reasserting itself, that will likely fuel the fires that Uribe is the indispensible man who has to stay in office to continue fighting the good fight.

1. The Congress passed enabling legislation for a referendum that, if passed, would allow for Uribe to run for a third term.  The legislation is currently under review by the Constitutional Court.  Their ruling as to the constitutionality of the process and the legislation is due out in early 2010.  Exactly when the referendum would be held remains unclear.  Presidential elections will be held in May—with Congressional elections to be held in March. [↩]

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