It all began last year, during an army raid against Gener Garcia alias ‘John 40’. He is an important FARC chief who controls over 300 insurgent soldiers, is known for his close relationship to Jorge Briceño alias ‘Mono Jojoy’ (one of FARC’s highest-ranking members) and is said to control large part of the drug dealing business in Colombia.

In the raid, which occurred in July 2008, the army soldiers were astonished with their findings. Even though ‘John 40’ managed to escape, they found various AT-4 rocket launchers in the midst of the Colombian jungle.

The soldiers’ disbelief had a reason: the Colombian military forces don’t even own this type of artillery. It is considered to be one of the most lethal weapons in the world. It is similar to a bazooka, easy to operate and transport, and its power makes it especially efficient against armored vehicles and fortified structures.

In October, in another guerrilla camp, the army found pieces of similar rocket launchers with their corresponding serial numbers. The officials knew, due to the AT-4 model, that Saab Bofors Dynamics, a Swedish company, produced them.

All the necessary information was duly delivered to the Swedish embassy in Bogotá and to authorities in Stockholm. Three months later, the official answer arrived. The serial numbers of the rocket launchers matched those included in a shipment made by the company to the Venezuelan army several years ago.

SEMANA talked to Swedish diplomats, who confirmed they had been notified about the incident. “ We are very concerned with this situation; the Swedish government is actively participating in the corresponding investigation” they stated. Their concern is not baseless.

Although a privately owned company conducted the transaction, the country’s legislation concerning firearms is very strict.
SEMANA reached the company’s spokesperson in Stockholm who affirmed “it is extremely misfortunate that this happened but it’s something that eludes our control. Our client was the Venezuelan army. Saab always abides Swedish legislation and international regulations concerning the sale of instruments of defense.”

The most pressing question remains: how did these weapons end up as FARC property? The answer is complicated, especially for Venezuela’s government.

The full story here.

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