FARC guerillas armed with Swedish weapons

Published: 27 Jul 09 10:42 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20930/20090727/

Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation

The Colombian rebel group the FARC is in possession of advanced weaponry manufactured by the Swedish firm Saab Bofors Dynamics, according to a report in the Colombian weekly newspaper Semana.

The anti-tank AT-4 weapons have been sold to countries such as the USA and a raft of NATO member states, as well Colombian neighbour Venezuela.

It was in connection with Colombian army raids on the FARC guerilla bases in July and October 2008 that the Swedish-made weapons were discovered, the newspaper reports.

The Colombian government then contacted Saab Bofors who could confirm that the weapons had originally been sold to the Venezuelan army.

"It is extremely unfortunate that this has occurred, although this is out of our control. Our client is the Venezuelan army. Saab always acts in accordance with Swedish law and international regulations regarding the sale of defence materials," a representative for the Swedish firm is quoted by the newspaper as saying.

How the state of the art weapons fell into the hands of the FARC remains a mystery as the Venezualan government, despite promising the Colombian government to look into the issue, has not yet been able to shed light on the circumstances.

Semana maintains that there are strong grounds to suspect that two generals, who are part of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez's inner circle, have provided the Farc with the Swedish weapons.

The AT-4 weapons are described as one of the world's most advanced anti-tank weapons, easy to carry, easy to use and very effective.

TT/Peter Vinthagen Simpson (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This Facebook  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

12:24 July 27, 2009 by Nemesis
Sounds like Bofors has a very good sales team.

A suggestion, grind made in Sweden of the weapons before you sell them.
12:37 July 27, 2009 by Thebinary1
Easier options are:

- grind the contract with the Venezuelan army

- embed a remote-disabling routine into the weapon that is not informed to the customers ..... I mean Windows / Microsoft does this so why shouldn't weapons?
12:39 July 27, 2009 by peropaco
Sweden is a neutral nation yet somehow it always manage to make a buck out of war/conflict. They made deals with the Nazi, FARC and who knows if they are not getting a piece of the cake in Iran, Lebanon, PA etc.
12:53 July 27, 2009 by juanman79
The double-morality of these "good industries" is astonishing... Yes, of course, it is not their fault that they manufacture weapons that are ultimately used to kill PEOPLE. And then we see the "self-righteous people" complaining about the influx of immigrants trying to scape from these war-torn countries... This is a very sad situation. No control whatsoever over the weapons sold... I think it is immoral to profit from suffering!
13:02 July 27, 2009 by Bra_billie_boy
I wonder how long we have before terrorists start attacking the Swedish state with Swedish weaponry. I will not be surprised if tomorrow's newspaper carries the headline 'NATO forces attack an Al-Qaeda hideout in Afghanistan and discover massive stockpile of advanced Swedish weapons'.

It is so very unfortunate. We are the ones responsible for our own problems. There's no else to blame for it.
13:16 July 27, 2009 by Atlas
Look people, its to early to judge the Saab Bofors. They just sold it to Venezuela as all other manufacturers do. You can't go and blame them for how their clients use their weapons. You can't really foresee how they will be used in the future and by whom.

Of course, you can blame Saab Bofors only if they continue selling them to clients who have a history of missusing them, but not before.

It's easy to point fingers, but i bet that if any of you was in that sales team, you would have jumped to joy for concluding a sale...Try to see it from a different perspective...
13:31 July 27, 2009 by juanman79
Weapons kill people... that is their one and only use... Both the users and the sellers are responsible for their ultimate purpose.
14:03 July 27, 2009 by BillyB
Shock horror 1: weapons used in a battle

Shock horror 2: someone sold weapons

Shock horror 3: someone profited from selling arms

ZZzzzzzz
14:10 July 27, 2009 by bocale1
It is not that difficult to imagine that weapons that are built with the obvious target of killing people are finally provided to people that kill people. I haven´t never heard about weapons sold to monks in sanctuaries!

But since our richness is also due to money coming from that industry, we should just worry to keep wars as far as possible from our borders.

What difference does if a weapon is used by FARC or by any of the hundreds clans that kill thousands of people daily in center Africa?
14:39 July 27, 2009 by Weekend_warrior
I would bet that the weapons ended up exactly where they are supposed to be.

Thing is, like any major playing country dealing arms, they cannot always be seen giving their weapons to certain parties. The only problem here, is some schmuck screwed up, and it went public.

Keep drinking your coke, play on your iphone (or any mobile), enjoy your internet, 3 meals a day, television, computers, you name it. Because maybe you all don't realize, but it would take the resources of 3-5 Earths for the entire world to live like Europe and the United States (Canada included).

So come join in for a little Call of Duty on xbox360 and smile :)
15:01 July 27, 2009 by bolababu
considering personal experience, i think weekend-warrior hit the nail on the head. Venezuela was just a cover, the final consumer was the FARC and saab was bound by law and moral obligation not to be seen dealing with rebels.

same thing happening in Nigerian Niger-Delta right now.
15:09 July 27, 2009 by Aussie_Downunder
'despite promising the Colombian government to look into the issue'

hahah ye right, the Venezualan government's promise.

I'm sure it's on the top of their 'to do' list.

I'm with BillyB on this one.

ZZZzzzzzzzzzz
15:29 July 27, 2009 by kris09
This is not a surprise!many EU and USA countries are doing the same business in countries of war.

selling to both rivals and make the conflict prolonged while prettending beeing peace keepers and creating jobs for their NGOs....(eg..its happening in countries like somalia,eastern DR.Congo,Sudan,Uganda,etc).where do all these rebels purchase their weapons?of course from the manufacturers.

But they 4get how many millions of innocent people are affected due to their selfish intrerests.....and when refugees imerge in their countries,they deny them.

Its so sad!!!
16:01 July 27, 2009 by Staffs
Misuse of weapons, ha ha ha, it's the way you tell 'em.

One use only, to destroy life and equipment, regardless of who is using them.
16:26 July 27, 2009 by BlackfDes
Hej!

This is my theory:

A Venezuelan first division soccer team is sponsored by the Venezuelan Army but want to transfer in a Colombian first division soccer player from a team sponsored by the political wing of FARC (FARC ME).

The army is a little cash strapped at the moment so it uses the rockets to seal the deal.

Whats the problem??

cheers

The Black One
17:42 July 27, 2009 by Colombiandude
Atlas, you are not selling weapons to Switzerland or Norway, you are selling them to VENEZUELA! It is almost the same as selling weapons to Iran or North Korea. Obviously, Saab should be hold responsible for making deals with such states. Funny to see some europeans blaming others for the world's misfortune while their noses are stuffed with "white powder"
18:50 July 27, 2009 by peacelover
A similar case happend when Pakistani Army recovered Swedish snipper guns from Taliban insurgents infiltrating from Afghanistan in to pakistan. Why dont these companies act more responsibly just saying "It is extremely unfortunate that this has occurred, although this is out of our control" is not enough.
18:57 July 27, 2009 by Ugly But Lovely
I thought Sweden only makes Saab Volvo, but did not know this , that many people are dying in war by Swedish made weapons, that means Sweden is also fueling the war and support war criminals. yup of course to sell their deadly weapons.
18:14 July 28, 2009 by nic_tester
Damn good weapons thou Very handy. Got to know its predecessor when i did my ms.

http://manual.americasarmy.com/images/b/ba/At4-400.jpg
06:16 July 29, 2009 by redlar
I always thought Bush made a big mistake in attacking Iraq. I thought we should have been selling weapons to Iraq and Iran like the EU was doing. Start a little spat and they would have been shooting at each other. Bush screwed up the EU plan of making a pile of money arming both sides, no wonder they didn't like his ideas. The Europeans have it right, just sell weapons to everyone and try to stay out of the fight. And I thought we were suppose to be the capitalist (well, until recently anyway).
12:32 July 29, 2009 by nic_tester
Dont hear you complaining when we sell to the US
19:25 July 29, 2009 by miloidrr
Never in the life, I want to that the sweden nation feel just a little part of pain that Colombia are suffering, just Think about this, this is a critical situation
10:18 August 1, 2009 by 4xxxx
I have been censored!!! obviously one is not aloud to write the truth in The Local!!!!
11:31 August 1, 2009 by jack sprat
Amazing how "neutral" Sweden seems to get itself involved in conflicts in all parts of the Globe...Indirectly of course...

Just makes the bullets and lets the whole world and his wife fire them.

Ah well its good business I suppose in these difficult times...
12:12 August 1, 2009 by Mzungu
You have just been awarded TL's gold medal,for being first to be edited on your premier post...

*congratulations*
09:33 August 3, 2009 by 4xxxx
Thank you Muzungu. I was referring to a certain (Neutral) country that in the past made a lot of money from both opposing sides in a conflict. For many years it was spend, spend ,spend. Unfortunately the money ran out and as happens in those countries the pour get poorer but as they say in that country. Det hända inta i Sverige!!

It is a shame freedom of speech doesn't allow one to write the truth.
14:49 August 11, 2009 by rumcajs
Those weapons were sold to venezuala in the 80's, which means they are not that advanced. I am Colombian and I think Semana is (as well of most of colombian media)working to keep colombians in that kind of obsesion with venezuela and Chavez as that obsesion makes them somehow vote for the colombian dict.. sorry, president again and again. That's the only explanation I can find why someone would call advanced something that was made in the 80's.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Three arrested for killing of Swedish soldiers

Three arrested for killing of Swedish soldiers

Three men have been arrested in Afghanistan on suspicion of being connected to the the death of Swedish soldiers Johan Palmlöv and Gunnar Andersson near Mazar-e Sharif on Sunday. READ (10 COMMENTS) »

Parental 'child sick leave' peaks in February

Each February, Swedish parents take an estimated 600,000 paid leave days to take care of sick children, according to new Social Insurance Agency statistics. READ »

'Only good foreign soldier on Afghan soil is a dead one': Jan Myrdal

'Only good foreign soldier on Afghan soil is a dead one': Myrdal

Swedish author and anti-war activist Jan Myrdal has sparked outrage following a public lecture in which he appeared to welcome the killing of Swedish, US and other soldiers. READ »

Sharp increase in asylum seeker deportations

Sharp increase in asylum seeker deportations

The number of asylum seekers deported from Sweden rose by 1,300 during 2009, according to new figures from the Swedish Migration Agency. READ »

Dental service probed as girl dies after toothache

The Swedish Welfare Board is set to investigate the Swedish Public Dental Service after a nine-year-old girl died following repeated visits to the dentist complaining of toothache and an abscess. READ »

Ingrid, 79, declared dead by Swedish tax authorities

79-year-old Ingrid Ståhl of Malmö in southern Sweden found out to her surprise that she had been registered as dead after a mistake by the Swedish Tax Agency. READ (8 COMMENTS) »

Söderling claims comeback win

Söderling claims comeback win

Swedish tennis star Robin Söderling showed no signs of the elbow complaint which knocked him out of the Australian Open, firing 26 aces to earn a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Frenchman Florent Serra on Monday in the Rotterdam Open. READ »

Man shot on Stockholm street

A 29-year-old man was shot on Södermalm in Stockholm on Monday night. He was hit in the leg and in the shoulder, but was able to call an ambulance. No one has been arrested as the man refuses to talk to the police. READ (1 COMMENT) »

More Politics
Find a new job in Sweden now
Technical Support
Stockholm
Mercuri Urval
We are looking for a Sales Engineer as Regional Manager for Region Denmark
Denmark
Swep International AB
FP&A PROFESSIONAL
Stockholm
Michael Page International
Technical Support
Stockholm
Mercuri Urval
Finnish speaking Customer Contact Center/Call taker
Stockholm
Mercuri Urval
Norwegian speaking Customer Contact Center/Call taker
Stockholm
Mercuri Urval

ALL JOBS »



Blog Update: Boston Blatte

09 February 22:56

Safety: overly conscious? »

"No one is surprised to hear that safety is important to Swedes. After all, the first 3-point seat belt was first put into production for cars in the Volvo PV444 in 1959. But there are moments when I think that the devotion to safety extends beyond the fair margin to allow for Darwin Award nominees...." READ »

Poll

Are you interested in subletting your apartment in Sweden within the next two years?

   

View Results
Highlights
Photo: Tommy Andersson/Scanpix
SPORT »
Biathlete Helena Jonsson gunning for gold as Swedes set sights on ten Vancouver medals
Two year wait for Stockholm flat: report
NATIONAL »
Two year wait for Stockholm flat: report
Photo: www.finest.se
GALLERY »
The weekend's 'finest': February 5-7
Photo: Siri Ambjörnsson
SOCIETY »
Finding your inner Agnetha: The camp turning out a new wave of Swedish rock mums
Photo: www.stureplan.se
GALLERY »
Midweek revellers: February 3-4
Photo: Cathy Yeulet
LIFESTYLE »
February in Sweden: No sex please, we're cold
Photo: Billy Talent by Dustin Rubin
LIFESTYLE »
What's On in Sweden: February 4th - 11th Billy Talent, Bodypoppers, Bob Marley tribute.
Photo: Roland Karlsson
OPINION »
Profile: Sweden's new Minister for EU Affairs, Birgitta Ohlsson: A colourful politician with feminist credentials and lofty ambitions.
Photo: Piteå Kommun
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Swedish Rail Destinations with SJ: Piteå is best known as a summer destination, but wintertime offers skating across the ice in the Gulf of Botnia and cosy dinners in the pretty town centre.
Latest news from The Local in Germany
Blog
  • 5 questions for Diana Orving
    Diana Orving’s line consists of organic yet edgy fashion. The garments are delicate and luxurious. Both structured and deconstructed elements coexist in many of her pieces and produce a surprising...
  • 5 questions for The Local Firm
    The Local Firm is a young independent label created by Richard Hutchinson and Axel Nyhage that is based in Stockholm. The label has a reputation for a refreshing viewpoint on fashion. Drawing...
  • 5 questions for Kerstin Ekman
    Swedish author Kerstin Ekman started writing detective novels, then moved on to more psychological and social themes. In September 2009 she released her latest novel Mordets praktik. Sweden.se asked...
  • The Swedish Model in practice
    The term “Swedish Model” is used to describe the fact that the Swedish society is based on a high degree of public financing. Let’s find out what this means in practice by following a regular...
Essentials

Jobs - in Sweden, in English
Get your career on track with our job listings from Sweden's top employers.

Property - renting or buying in Sweden
Navigating the minefield of renting or buying an apartment or house in Sweden.

Weather
"There is no bad weather, just bad clothes," say the Swedes. Here's the forecast for everyone else.

Introducing...
Every week The Local serves up a spicy helping of Swedish celebrity for your delectation.

Stockholm Syndrome
Tales of crazy Swedish classes, hamfisted attempts to understand - and explain - real Swedes, and varied experiences of fellow foreigners gathered for your amusement.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Jobs in Sweden, in English

121 jobs in Sweden, in English
48 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Jobs
Expatriate in Stockholm?
We offer services for foreigners who've recently moved or are planning to move to Stockholm. Corresponding with local authorities, organizing your home, seeking childcare and domestic help, plus more.
MORE INFO
Folk High Schools in Sweden
The Swedish Folk High Schools have courses that give you the possibility to bring out all your colors!
www.folkhogskola.nu
Visiting Stockholm?
Then you'll find The Local's new Stockholm Section useful. Find pics, guides, news and lots of useful information about Stockholm.
www.thelocal.se/stockholm
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Welcome to Adlon Hotel in Stockholm
A perfect location both for business and pleasure. Centrally located, with atmosphere.
www.adlon.se
Winter archipelago tours
Visit Stockholm's beautiful archipelago. Great boat tours for all preferences.
MORE INFORMATION
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English

David Schultz PsyD
Individuals & couples
In Stockholm in person or by phone or video conferencing
www.anxiousorblue.se
Play football in Stockholm
Kick-off the new football season with LFC, Stockholm's premier English-speaking football club.
MORE INFO
JOB: Trainee Sales Executives
Midfield Media, a leading provider of events and executive forums, is seeking Trainee Sales Executives
FULL JOB DETAILS
Enjoy a beautiful winter weekend in Västervik
Treat yourself with a calm and relaxing weekend in beautiful archipelago surroundings
MORE INFORMATION
JOB: Copy editor and English speaking project manager/editor
Tidningskompaniet, one of Sweden's leading agencies for custom publishing, seeks two new employees in Stockholm and Göteborg
FULL JOB DETAILS
Counseling in English Individuals & Couples - Stockholm
Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now