Walking Ghosts: Murder and Guerrilla Politics in Colombia

by Steven Dudley and Steven Dudley

Book Overview

In Walking Ghosts, Steven Dudley, a journalist who lived in Columbia for five years, expertly chronicles the life and death of the Patriotic Union (UP), the party established by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Colombia's largest guerrilla group. Through stories of the politicians, drug kingpins, revolutionaries, and mercenaries who play key roles in Colombia's civil strife, Dudley maps out the complicated and murderous absurdity...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 041593303X
• ISBN13: 9780415933032
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Indispensable for Understanding This Tragedy

Mr. Dudley has written a must-read book for anyone interested in understanding how futile, tragic and hopeless this civil war is, a war to end centuries of oppression by creating an alternate oppression. No matter how noble the goals of the militant left are, they have perverted that nobility with resorting to the tactics of the thug right that they despise. Mr. Dudley's extensive interviews with many of the "walking ghosts," many who died subsequently at the hands of the either the paramilitary wing of the Colombian army and narcotraffickers or the FARC, makes this a poignant tribute to their selfless idealism. The cynicism of both sides, coupled with a fatalism that would make Slavs blush, makes for a dreadful toxic brew that can only poison any hope of reconciliation. What neither Dudley or anyone else cares to address is why of all the Latin countries Colombia's insurgency has become so vicious and bitter, even though Colombia's experience with oligharchies or revolutionary movements is no different than any other of its continental or linguistic neighbors. The gist of his book concerns the Union Patriotica, the left wind political party that the FARC intended to manipulate for its own power-grabbing methods. seen by the right as just a front for their arms bearing enemies of FARC, the civilan members of UP became literal sitting ducks, martyrs for a cause that seems as far away from fruition as ever. Assassination became the norm, with the tentacles of the military entwining with the likes of Pablo Escobar and "El Mejicano" Gacha, well known cocaine lords. Dudly barely touches on US/CIA involvement, but their interference in other country's sovereign affairs is well known in any case. Dudley's writing style makes this an easy read from that perspective, but the endless parade of dead men walking became very sobering.

Excellent Story of the UP & Colombia

I feel that this a very strong series of stories and history of Colombia and of the FARC. Mr. Dudley has accomplished something few could, by interviewing the FARC, the UP, and the Paramilitaries - his interview with Carlos Castano is just incredible. The Union Patriotica, a political party created by the FARC rebels of Colombia, appeared to be the last, best chance for the FARC to find political space in Colombia and turn their ideas into something positive for Colombia. Unfortunately, what ended up happenning is that the FARC does not seem to care that by not giving up its war against Colombia, that it ensured the mass murder of politicians of the Union Patriotica. It is astounding that the members of Union Patriotica did not consider breaking off from the FARC - it ensured that they were all killed as well. The other astounding fact is of the amnesty for the paramilitary groups: they did the vast majority of the killing and drug trafficking, and also ruined the chance for peace and the UP. Why they linked with drug dealers to destroy Colombia's chance at peace, it seemed it was all about the money. Yet the paramilitaries come off with a very generous deal from the Colombian government. In any event: this book is a triumph. The FARC went from being justified, modestly popular, or even wildly popular, and the Union Patriotica, its political party, something that could benefit Colombians, to being one of the most disliked, controversial, selfish rebel groups on the planet, with no other plan other than its own military dominance for dominance's sake, and the vast dislocation of millions of Colombians.

A must read for anyone with interest in Latin America

This book is excellent, and that's coming from a jaded college student at the end of the semester. It is extremely readable, especially given that it is historical non-fiction, and very informative. It tells the story of the Unión Patriótica, a political party founded by the FARC, a Colombian guerrilla front, by telling specific people's stories to get that aspect of the controversy. For the most part the story is told chronologically, but by changing the point of view about every chapter, Dudley keeps the reader interested. His prose is light enough to be readable without losing information, and by tying in interviews, research, and stories, he justifies his leftist tone and fills many gaps in official dialogues.

Violencia y fatalismo en Colombia

Excellent! This is hardearned and very readable reportage and history. Mr.Dudley is to be commended for physically braving the treacherous terrain of Colombian politics and the guerrilla conflict there. If life is as expendable in Colombia as it appears to be, the author must have had more than a few frightening experiences. The Colombian propensity for violence is exceeded only by the fatalism necessary to endure it and, perhaps, he made use of its dubious benefits.'Walking Ghosts' is very informative: it gives an objective history of the 'elimination' of the 'Union Patriotica' reform party by government supported paramilitary death squads as well as providing a knowledgeable background and perspective on the corrupt enterprises that are the present FARC, AUC, and Colombian government and military. Mr. Dudley weaves personal histories into larger themes, in particular following some doomed and shortlived careers of UP members while not neglecting some of the tough customers of their deadly opposition. The UP was unfortunately caught in the maw of Colombia's ongoing 'violencia' as the cocaine trade expanded and forced its dynamic on Colombian politics. The FARC is portrayed as less than honorable and only marginally less married to 'violencia' in the scheme of things. One is left with few illusions and, sadly, little hope for the future of Colombia; reconciliation and forgiveness would seem hard to come by after such viciousness. Perhaps the 'fatalismo' of the Colombians could serve them in eventually effecting a peace. Again, a very well written and engaging history of a misunderstood conflict that could well involve the US military (you! your son or daughter!) in the years ahead.

A stunning journalistic account of political genocide

"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 has 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 officially sanctioned by the government) because it was sponsored by the Communist Party and a revolutionary guerrilla army (FARC). Consequently, a sinister dirty war was conducted. The government intentionally 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 ten 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 segments of Colombian society lost faith in the State.This book is well written. It is hard to put down. But please be warned...the violence is brutal. Dudley objectively portrays the terrifying bloodshed inside the borders of Colombia and it is very ugly. He also diligently 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. This is a groundbreaking book. Dudley is a former human rights worker and polished journalist who takes the moral high road to expose Colombia's dark secrets. The author sadly admits that there is not enough room in one book for all of Colombia's victims of paramilitary violence. Overall, the reader will conclude that Dudley is a dedicated journalist. He openly dares to question how the current Colombian government is audaciously trying to forgive the murderous paramilitaries (grant amnesty) and allow them to keep their drug trafficking fortunes. Withou