Back CONUS from Colombia

It may sound exciting but all we did was locate and blow the hell out of an HCL lab. According to the guys with us it was one of the bigger labs they had seen in a a while. Basically, it was just another day at the office for the Junglas, while it was exciting to this gringo. We did find a some ammo and magazine from a Galil 5.56 at the target so the bad guys definitely had security. I imagine they decided that 2 blackhawks loaded with Junglas was more than they wanted to stick around and see. ;)

Again, I'm just writing the SWAT story on this thing. The fact that this stuff interest me is not only because of the weaponry or cool factor it may or may not have. My focus is how the cocaine culture has built nations, destroyed nations and caused many people to take turns they would not normally take. What goes on in Colombia, Peru, Mexico, etc. does indeed change the lives of every American citizen living within the borders of the United States. No matter what anyone may think about the war on drugs, there are a lot of good men and women putting their lives on the line for a cause they believe in. That's what my story is about.

I don't claim any expert status on SA. Every time I think I have something figured out down there, I find out I'm wrong. Like I said in another post, I'm just a dumbass gringo that will probably die in Latin America chasing a story, but the stories I write and the photos I take are simply the way I see it. Nothing more.
 
R.A.T. said:
No matter what anyone may think about the war on drugs, there are a lot of good men and women putting their lives on the line for a cause they believe in. That's what my story is about.
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I look forward to the book. For a good many years, I have felt that the war on drugs is not worth the expense and that it is not a war that can be won. I do not doubt that most of the people fighting this war believe in what they are doing and do so with integrity. I appreciate that they put their lives on the line so maybe, after reading your book, I'll have faith in their cause. Bring it on! :thumbup: :)
 
glad you made it back in one piece...

I look forward to reading your aticle.

My next trip to Peru may include a little side trip to Colombia!
 
R.A.T. said:
It may sound exciting but all we did was locate and blow the hell out of an HCL lab. According to the guys with us it was one of the bigger labs they had seen in a a while. Basically, it was just another day at the office for the Junglas, while it was exciting to this gringo. We did find a some ammo and magazine from a Galil 5.56 at the target so the bad guys definitely had security. I imagine they decided that 2 blackhawks loaded with Junglas was more than they wanted to stick around and see. ;)

Again, I'm just writing the SWAT story on this thing. The fact that this stuff interest me is not only because of the weaponry or cool factor it may or may not have. My focus is how the cocaine culture has built nations, destroyed nations and caused many people to take turns they would not normally take. What goes on in Colombia, Peru, Mexico, etc. does indeed change the lives of every American citizen living within the borders of the United States. No matter what anyone may think about the war on drugs, there are a lot of good men and women putting their lives on the line for a cause they believe in. That's what my story is about.

I don't claim any expert status on SA. Every time I think I have something figured out down there, I find out I'm wrong. Like I said in another post, I'm just a dumbass gringo that will probably die in Latin America chasing a story, but the stories I write and the photos I take are simply the way I see it. Nothing more.
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I remember when there was all the talk of extradition with Pablo Escobar and the other big narcos of the late 80's early 90's- they literally offered to pay the national debt of Colombia! All coke money! The #'s of cops, judges lawyers and politicians getting killed was insane...and b/c they wouldn't be bought! Incredible bravery. The dynamics of the paramilitaries forming b/c of the narcos and FARC and both moving into the drug trade are fascinating , complex and kinda sad! Add fumigation, displacement, dirty military and government players and ayy ayyy ayyyy- one of the most complex situations in the Americas. I'll buy that book! Hope it comes with an Izula as a book mark! hah! :D
 
rpn,

You are obviously plugged in down there. Would love to chat with you sometime.

I've followed this story for years but every time I sit down with a local in SA, I learn just how dumb I am when it comes to this issue.

BTW: got word today that the lab that was destroyed was a FARC 18th Front lab.

Also got word today from my editor that this indeed will be a 2-part story in SWAT.

Still going through all the photos I shot. Will try to get some stuff posted up soon.
 
R.A.T. said:
rpn,

You are obviously plugged in down there. Would love to chat with you sometime.

I've followed this story for years but every time I sit down with a local in SA, I learn just how dumb I am when it comes to this issue.

BTW: got word today that the lab that was destroyed was a FARC 18th Front lab.

Also got word today from my editor that this indeed will be a 2-part story in SWAT.

Still going through all the photos I shot. Will try to get some stuff posted up soon.
Click to expand...

The man goes and blows up a FARC lab...:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Man, they had 3 americans for how many years that just got rescued??:confused::eek: I'm glad it went well or we would have all been doing a fundraiser to buy your release!

Having lived there and with a Colombian wife tied to the Human Rights circles makes it apart of life. Wish we were more plugged in- we want to live there!

Nice work!
 
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