Interpol Verifies Rebel Documents

On Thursday, International Police Organization Interpol verified that rebel computers seized by Colombia in a raid on a rebel FARC camp located barely over the border in Ecuador on March 1 did, in fact, contain actual documents and files belonging to the rebels. The documents, which include a number of emails, clearly indicate that the administration of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela is providing support to the FARC, including money and weapons. Chavez has repeatedly claimed that the computers and files were planted by Colombia in an effort to make him look bad. The verification of the documents by Interpol will make it difficult for him to continue denying links between his administration and the FARC. Perhaps what will be more telling will be Colombia's next actions. If, as Chavez claims, the documents are fakes and designed to embarrass him, then Colombia is aware of it and should let the matter slide, as Chavez has indeed been embarrassed by the revelation. But if Colombia is aware that they did not fake the documents, then they are now presented with an unmistakable act of war against them and may have no recourse but to fight.