The Blog

Is Hugo Chavez's Number Up?

11:29 AM, May 16, 2008 • By BRIAN FAUGHNAN
Single Page Print Larger Text Smaller Text Alerts

This is a surprise:

"Based on our careful and comprehensive forensic examination of each of the eight seized FARC computer exhibits and on consideration of all the evidence reviewed by our experts, Interpol concludes that there was no tampering with any data on the computer exhibits following their seizure on 1 March 2008 by Colombian authorities," Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble said...

Earlier Thursday US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters that reports on the contents of the computer that indicate Venezuela's support for FARC are "highly disturbing."

"The picture painted by some of the preliminary reports that I have seen over the last few days is disturbing, highly disturbing," he said.

"There are serious allegations about Venezuela supplying arms and support to a terrorist organization," McCormack told reporters.

Interpol had been expected to balk on the question of whether the captured laptops and hard drives were genuine. All of the nations involved -- the U.S., Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and others -- had been waiting for Interpol to comment on the authenticity of the files. That impartial agency has now said that they are legitimate -- which means that Hugo Chavez has been working to upgrade FARC's weapons and influence. The U.S. will now have to consider whether to designate Venezuela a state sponsor of terror.

That's easier said than done, and any decision is likely to be made in discussion with U.S. allies (who would also be asked to apply sanctions). However, there's no question that this is bad news for Hugo Chavez and his allies.

More by Brian Faughnan