FARC record merengue CD
By Manuel Rueda, Editorial Director
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Colombian army says that electronic documents and copies of emails found in FARC computers show that as the guerrillas embarked in a “public relations” campaign in 2003, they spent thousands of dollars to record a merengue album that was used for propagandistic purposes.
Merengue is a fast dancing rhythm that originated in the Dominican Republic and is danced to throughout Spanish speaking Caribbean countries and the world.
The main song in the FARC's merengue CD, “El baile del guerrillero” (the guerilla fighters dance), sounds like any catchy tropical dance tune as it calls on people to “take up arms” against the government.
Emails from FARC computers confiscated by the Army suggest that the idea of recording a merengue album emerged when FARC chief Manuel Marulanda Velez, alias Tirofijo, told his commanders that the group needed to “find something that would hook people” in order to sustain support and improve recruitment drives.
Several FARC commanders followed up on this request, including Olga Marín, who says in a 2003 email, that “making the song, will not cost more than 14,000 dollars.”
The song was apparently recorded in 2004 with the help of the FARC's contacts in Mexico and with the participation of an “exclusive” singer from the Dominican Republic, whose voice has yet not been identified.
A video of “el baile del guerrillero” was placed on youtube, and the CD was distributed by the FARC in small town festivities in areas controlled by the guerillas.
As odd as this may sound, Colombian media report this is not the FARC's first incursion into the music industry.
Commander John 40, who operated in the southeastern jungles and plains, is well known for sponsoring his own group of norteño music, with whom he recorded several CDs.
Colombian authorities say intercepted emails show that John 40 has spent more than 300 million pesos (USD 150,000) on his musical productions and on CD launching parties.
Another FARC commander, who goes by the name Jorge Conrado, has recorded 15 vallenato CD's that praise the FARC's bravery and rail against the governments military incursions. Apparently he has failed to secure the collaboration of any famous vallenato groups.
That's not all. El TIEMPO reports that FARC “public relations” initiatives have included the following:
- Free sex recruitment campaign: An email from a confiscated FARC computer reveals that a commander who went by the name of “Cesar” spent 800 million pesos (USD 400,000) to hire prostitutes that would have “free” sex with anyone who joined the FARC in the town of Miraflores.
- Tea with NGOs: Intercepted documents show that the FARCs “international front” spent six thousand dollars to pay for “tea gatherings with NGO friends and (the distribution of) pens, notebooks, and key-rings with the movement's logo.” These tea parties allegedly took place in Europe.
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