Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'farce'

Jailed Colombian Rebels Turn Away From FARC

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Colombia's leftist FARC guerrilla group has suffered a number of blows in the past year. Several top commanders have died and its most high-profile hostages were rescued in a daring raid. Now it's beginning to suffer defections among jailed rebels.

Colombians Around The World Denounce FARC

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Colombians took to the streets all over the world Sunday to march in protest against the FARC rebel group. The insurgents still hold hundreds of hostages kidnapped over the years in the group's battle against the Colombian government. The protesters called for the release of all FARC hostages.

Hundreds More Colombians Remain FARC Captives

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Four Colombian police officers are back home after 10 years of captivity as hostages of the FARC guerrilla group. But more than 40 fellow officers — and hundreds of other people — remain in the hands of rebel soldiers, and Colombians haven't forgotten them.

U.S. Played Vital Role In Colombia Hostage Rescue

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:38:00 EDT

The U.S. Embassy in Bogota has provided details about U.S. participation in the effort to rescue three Americans along with Ingrid Betancourt and 11 other hostages held by FARC guerrillas in Colombia. The U.S. created a 100-member team of intelligence analysts and special forces to help.

Freed American Blasts Colombia's FARC Rebels

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:53:00 EDT

One of three men freed last week from rebels in Colombia called his captors "terrorists with a capital 'T.'" Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell spent more than five years as hostages of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Helms, Betencourt and Mugabe

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:22:00 EDT

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr weighs in on the week's news: Former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt was freed six years after being taken hostage by the Colombian rebel group FARC; Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was re-elected; Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said he was open to "refining" his Iraq policy, but wasn't shifting his stance on troop withdrawals; Republican presidential hopeful John McCain made significant changes in the top tier of his campaign staff; and former Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), died on July 4.

Rescued American Hostages Return Home

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:49:00 EDT

Three Americans rescued Wednesday in Colombia from FARC rebels have returned to the United States. Five years ago, their plane was shot down over FARC-held territory. One of them met with family members. The other two were expected to do the same.

FARC Has Ability To Keep Fighting, Expert Says

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:11:00 EDT

The Colombian military has rescued four hostages from left-wing FARC rebels. Marc Chernick, associate professor at Georgetown University, says though the rebels have been weakened, they can continue fighting the military for a long time.

U.S. Role Seen In Colombia Hostage Rescue

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:12:00 EDT

Colombia told the U.S. about the raid to rescue four hostages from FARC rebels two weeks ago, Pentagon sources say. The U.S. was asked to provide help in the form of surveillance aircraft to eavesdrop on rebels. No Americans were on the ground.

Colombian Envoy Recounts Hostage Rescue

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:05:00 EDT

The Colombian military on Wednesday freed 15 people held by the FARC rebel group. The hostages include Ingrid Betancourt, who was running for president when the FARC kidnapped her six years ago, and three American military contractors. Carolina Barco Isakson, Colombia's ambassador to the U.S., talks about the rescue operation.

U.S. Hostages Rescued In Colombia Arrive In Texas

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:01:00 EDT

The three American military contractors rescued by Colombian authorities have returned to the United States, landing in San Antonio after being held for five years by FARC rebels. Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes were captured in 2003.

Analysis: What The Hostage Rescue Means For FARC

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Co-host Renee Montagne talks with NPR's Juan Forero about the unusual nature of Wednesday's hostage rescue operation in Colombia, and what it says about the rebel group that had been holding them.

Hostages Rescued In Colombia

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Colombia says it rescued three Americans and a French-Colombian politician from leftist FARC rebels who held them for years. John Otis, South America bureau chief for the Houston Chronicle, says all the former hostages are in reasonably good health.

'Beauty in Trouble': Love and Longing, at Odds

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Biting yet empathetic, Jan Hrebejk's latest is a serious farce. But for all its twists, it's essentially a simple tale about one woman's choice between tumultuous true love or a less passionate — but more comfortable — existence.

Colombia Announces Gains in Fighting FARC

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:53:00 EDT

In Colombia, the army says FARC guerrillas are on the run, thanks in part to billions in American aid. Some officials are predicting victory, and a quick end to a conflict that goes back for decades. But to many, the guerrillas remain ever present in the countryside, and promise more trouble for Washington's closest ally in Latin America.

In Colombia, New FARC Chief Seen as a Hard-Liner

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:46:00 EDT

Alfonso Cano, the new leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, is known more for his intellect than his military prowess. But that won't necessarily make him more prone to negotiate an end to Colombia's seemingly unending war.

'Summary Judgment': 'Zohan' Worth Messing With...

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Mark Jordan Legan of Slate.com shares what the critics are saying about the new Adam Sandler comedy You Don't Mess with the Zohan, the John C. Reilly office farce The Promotion and the animated film Kung Fu Panda.

French Farce Enjoys a Revival

Sat, 31 May 2008 12:14:00 EDT

Scott Simon interviews Mark Rylance, co-star in the most-performed French play, Boeing Boeing. Rylance co-stars with Gina Gershon and Christine Baranski on Broadway.

After Death of Founder, FARC Forges Ahead

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda, founder of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (commonly known as FARC) died of a heart attack in March according to officials. NPR Correspondent Juan Forero discusses Marulanda's legacy and the future of FARC.

Colombia's Military Says FARC Rebel Leader Is Dead

Sun, 25 May 2008 09:07:00 EDT

Columbia's military says that Pedro Antonio Marin, who has lead the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel force since 1964, died of a heart attack March 26. But correspondent Juan Forero tells Ari Shapiro that the FARC commander, better known as Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda, has been reported dead many times before.

Uneasy in Love: Mozart's 'Cosi fan tutte'

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Deceptively complex, CosÃ fan tutte is a comic farce that often leaves romantically inclined listeners more than a little bit queasy. The libretto springs plenty of jokes, but Mozart's music tells you to hold on to your heart — you never know which way the romantic winds might blow.

Colombia Reflects Rising Threat of Nuclear Terrorism

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:36:00 EDT

The danger of terrorist or insurgent groups acquiring nuclear materials on the black market could be a looming threat. FARC rebels in Colombia reportedly tried to acquire enriched uranium. They may have been more interested in trading it to a terrorist group than in developing it for their own purposes.

Colombian Army Units Accused of Killing Peasants

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Human rights groups estimate that nearly a thousand Colombian civilians have been executed during the army's six-year offensive against FARC rebels. Members of some rogue army units are accused of executing civilians and dressing them up in rebel uniforms so they can be counted as rebels killed in battle.

FARC Desertions Hit Record High

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:15:00 EDT

Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels have been engaged in a guerrilla insurgency for more than four decades. Lately, something strange has been happening within the ranks.

Tensions Dialed Down in Latin America

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:49:00 EST

Tensions are easing in Latin America after the presidents of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela agreed to end a border dispute after Colombian forces crossed into Ecuador to hunt down members of the FARC. One of the diplomats who negotiated an end to the confrontation, Osmar Chohfi, talks with Jacki Lyden.