Today, the FARC's primary goal is territorial control within Colombia.  The FARC has several sources for the money it needs to pursue this goal.  The majority of its funding comes from the cocaine trade, but the FARC also pursues kidnapping, extortion, and hijacking.  In addition to these operations, the FARC also attacks Colombian political and military installations.  Its activities frequently disrupt economic activity in Colombia, particularly when conflicts with Colombia's rightist paramilitary groups break out.  Ordinary Colombian citizens are often caught in the middle of this violent and bloody struggle.<p><p>The FARC's larger goals are a matter for speculation.  For four decades the FARC has struggled to overthrow the Colombian government.  This does not seem likely unless the FARC dramatically shifts its approach and increases its strength.  The more likely outcome is that the FARC will continue to destabilize Colombian democracy but never actually overthrow the government.  Furthermore, the FARC's recent participation in peace talks demonstrates a certain willingness to negotiate with its ideological enemies.  The FARC's ideological commitment is in doubt, but its immediate goals are not. The FARC aims to maintain its significant financial and territorial power.  From all indications, the FARC will continue its violent criminal action for the foreseeable future.

Revolutionary Armed Forces of the People (FARP)

Group of Guerilla Combatants of Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon (CGNJMMP) -- Umbrella Organization
Popular Revolutionary Army -- Founding Group

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of the People, known by its Spanish acronym FARP, emerged in February 2000 as a splinter group of the <a href="?id=4541">Popular Revolutionary Army (EPR)</a>.  Citing political, ideological, and strategic differences, FARP is believed to have split from the EPR as early as June 1999. FARP follows its founding group's Marxist-oriented ideology, staunching opposing the neo-liberal economic policies of the Mexican government and globalization and its link to the United States. Group members seek to establish a popular democratic republic complete with a new constitution and a more conservative economic system. <p> <br />One of the group's most publicized attacks occurred when homemade incendiary devices exploded at three Banamex bank branches shortly after the bank was acquired by the U.S. company, Citigroup, in 2001. As the devices were engineered to garner media attention rather than inflict injury, only one minor injury was reported. FARP claimed responsibility by spray-painting its initials at two of the branches. The group has also launched attacks on the Mexican government and police forces and as part of the umbrella organization, <a href=" ?id=4041"> the Group of Guerilla Combatants of Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon (CGNJMMP)</a>. <p><br /><br />