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Summary: A stunning journalistic account of political genocide
Comment: "Walking Ghosts: Murder and Guerrilla Politics in Colombia," by Steven Dudley is a stunning journalistic account of political genocide. To this end, the author has very likely crossed a dangerous line in Colombia's Civil War and exposed himself to enormous danger. Because by bravely documenting the links between Colombia's ruthless narco-paramilitary death squads, the Colombian armed forces, the Colombian National Police, powerful landowners and corrupt members of the two-party political establishment...he has made many bitter enemies.This book is about the tragic rise and fall of a Colombian political party called the Patriotic Union(UP). Dudley painstakingly interviews the key political actors in the Colombian Communist Party and senior members of the FARC guerrilla organization who were responsible for the establishment of the UP. At the beginning there was much hope that the UP party could break the rigid chains of Colombia's two party system and foster a reform minded peace. However, Dudley's impeccable research demonstrates how powerful members of Colombian society were not prepared to accept a political party that was sponsored by the Communist Party and a revolutionary guerrilla army. Consequently, a sinister dirty war was conducted. The government fell silent while the Army and well-financed paramilitary death squads exterminated the UP. The body count was horrific. A total of 111 members of the UP were murdered in 1987; 276 were assasinated in 1988; and 138 were butchered in 1989. Within five years thousands were slaughtered. The dead included UP presidential candidates, Senators, Mayors and members of Congress. Half-way through this book one will certainly question the wisdom of the Colombian government. Because by allowing the murderers to go free (97% of crimes in Colombia go unpunished)...many poor segments of Colombian society no longer have faith in the State. This book is well written. It is hard to put down. But please be warned...the violence is brutal and Dudley objectively portrays the terrifying bloodshed inside the borders of Colombia. He also documents how paramilitaries brag of military and political support. Moreover, the author honestly hints how the United States $1.3 billion Plan Colombia funds may be helping paramilitary death squads led by Carlos Castano. In conclusion, this is a groundbreaking book. Dudley is a former human rights worker and tier-one journalist who has dared to expose Colombia's dark secrets. The author openly admits that there is not enough room in one book for all of Colombia's victims of paramilitary violence. Dudley is a brave journalist. He dares to question how the current Colombian government is trying to forgive the paramilitaries (grant amnesty) and allow them to keep their drug trafficking wealth. In conclusion, Colombia needs a human rights truth commission like that of Peru and Guatemala. However, after finishing this book one will find that the elites in Colombia will never allow this to happen. Highly recommended. Bert Ruiz
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