Associated Press - Saturday, October 13, 2001
JuanPablo Toro, Associated Press Writer

Three people who tested positive have reportedly been expelled from the zone.

The leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, says the mandatory exams are nothing more than a public health initiative. But some believe the rebels have an unspoken military objective: to take a disguised census that will help them keep tabs on the population.

The town's mayor and many residents oppose the testing, which began in July. They have little real authority, however, in Vista Hermosa - one of five towns the rebels control under a peace concession from President Andres Pastrana.

"I have no way of stopping this," Mayor Jose Castano said Friday, as public hospital workers performed exams in a municipal basketball arena in the town, located 185 miles south of Bogota.

"Here there is a revolutionary government, and its orders must be followed," Castano added.

Ever since the FARC took control of the Switzerland-sized safe haven three years ago, it has been accused of ruling with a heavy hand. The government insists the zone is serving its purpose as an arena for negotiations to end Colombia's 37-year civil war. Last week, Pastrana extended its life through at least mid-January so that talks can continue.

The FARC has informally ruled remote towns like this for many years, imparting gun-barrel justice and even forcing prostitutes in some towns to be tested for AIDS. But never have they forced examinations on this scale.

The testing began in Vista Hermosa after a rebel commander calling himself "Arquimedes" gave a speech in the town's tree-lined plaza in July in which he claimed a large number of people were becoming infected with AIDS.

Under the rebel orders, every resident of Vista Hermosa and its outlying villages between the ages of 12 and 80 are required to take a test, which they have to pay for - about $7 per person - more than a day's minimum wage.

Some 1,500 people were tested Friday, bringing to roughly 18,000 the number of townspeople who have been examined, health officials said. Vista Hermosa has about 20,000 residents.

Few of the people taking their tests Friday would talk about it openly. Those who did refused to give their full names, saying they feared possible reprisals.

Mauricio, a skinny 13-year-old student, looked resigned as a nurse took his blood. "It was an order by the FARC," he said glumly. Mauricio said he was told he would be receiving a paper certifying that he had taken the test.

Some residents said they believe the rebels will be able to demand the papers now as a way to know when outsiders are in town. The guerrillas often contend the military sends spies and infiltrators into the zone.

But Alonso, a 45-year-old merchant, said he supports the rebel initiative. "With so many illnesses going around any exam is important," he said.

Vista Hermosa hospital director Jaime Pacheco said there are legitimate concerns about AIDS. Concerns grew this week after officials reported the FARC had expelled three people who tested positive for HIV - prompting protests from human rights officials in Bogota.
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