Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

or Pakistani Taliban). Pakistan reiterated this concern following the October 2012 shooting of
14-year-old education activist Malala Yousafzai, which Pakistan claimed was planned by TTP
elements in eastern Afghanistan.
The potential for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) trafficking and proliferation remained a
concern in Pakistan. Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance (EXBS) enabled
Pakistani officials to gain expertise in properly classifying items of proliferation concern and
learn about export licensing best practices.
The United States continued to reduce the risk posed by potentially dangerous biological and
chemical materials in Pakistan by promoting the institutionalization of safe and secure laboratory
best practices, productively engaging Pakistani scientists and engineers that have WMD or
WMD-applicable expertise, and helping to develop surveillance capabilities to detect and
identify possibly catastrophic biological and chemical events.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Colombia. Colombia’s borders with Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Brazil include
rough terrain and dense forest cover, which coupled with low population densities and
historically weak government presence, have often allowed for potential safe havens for
insurgent and terrorist groups, particularly the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN). Although Colombia is actively fighting to
combat terrorism within its borders, vast swaths of the country are essentially ungoverned and
exploited by terrorists and narco-trafficking organizations. Illegal armed groups use the porous
borders, remote mountain areas, and jungles to maneuver, train, cultivate and transport narcotics,
operate illegal mines, “tax” the local populace, and engage in other illegal activities. The FARC
elements in these border regions often engaged the local population in direct and indirect ways,
including relying on them for recruits and logistical support. There was seemingly less of this
type of cross-border activity in Brazil and Peru where potential safe havens were addressed by
stronger government actions. The Government of Peru assigned security forces along the Peru-
Colombia border. Both Ecuador and Panama appeared to be strengthening their efforts against
Colombian narcotics trafficking and terrorist groups.
Venezuela. The FARC and ELN reportedly continued to use Venezuelan territory to rest and
regroup, engage in narcotics trafficking, extort protection money, and kidnap Venezuelans to
finance their operations. Throughout the year, the Governments of Venezuela and Colombia
continued a dialogue on security and border issues. Venezuela captured at least two FARC
members during the year: Luis Freddy Rojas Rincon, who died in custody from injuries
sustained during his capture; and William Alberto Chivitia Asprilla, who remains in Venezuelan
custody. FARC member Guillermo Enrique Torres Cueter (aka “Julian Conrado”), captured in
2011, remained in Venezuelan custody at year’s end despite the Venezuelan government’s initial
statement that he would be deported to Colombia.
COUNTERING TERRORISM ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT
In 2012, the Department of State designated three new Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)
and amended three existing designations. In addition, the Department listed 18 organizations and
individuals as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under E.O. 13224 and amended three
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