Certainly, the stand taken by Colombians in their homeland and outside in numerous important cities around the world to protests against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that for many decades have been wreaking terrorism in the country’s mountains with kidnappings, murders and attacks on the defenseless population, will have world-wide resonance in favor of peace for that noble South American country. As expected, in Bogotá there were more than two million demonstrators. Likewise, other cities in that republic, small and big, witnessed important demonstrations on behalf of peace and against the guerrillas who hold more than 700 hostages and who have sowed terror for more than thirty years.

It is important that in small and big cities around the world on the same day, February 4th, there were similar rallies with children, teen-agers, youths, and people of every age demonstrating against FARC. It should be noted that in all these places peoples of other nationalities joined the Colombians to protest. From far away cities in the five continents there were reports about these demonstrations in line with the characteristics of each city.

In Miami, as well as in Orlando, to mention only two cities in Florida, there were impressive demonstrations that bear witness to the solidarity that exists between Colombians and individuals from other countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who joined this worldwide protest which, actually, is unprecedented. Obviously, in other cities of the United States where great numbers of Colombians live, the demonstrations were equally significant.

In some way or another this worldwide movement that goes from Caracas to Toronto, from Paris to México, as well as many other cities in the five continents, will gravitate on the minds of those who for any reason whatsoever have influence with the FARC, especially the government of Venezuela, whose President, Lt. Col. Hugo Chávez expresses its solidarity with FARC. Even though this ruler does not respond normally to international reactions, it is necessary to observe the effect that this significant and unique world reaction will have on his opinions.

In the midst of so much sorrow that the noble people of Colombia have been feeling for so many years, what happened on Monday is a satisfactory proof of national solidarity with international support.