A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the requested release of convicted terrorist Juvenal Ovidio Ricardo Palmera Pineda, also known as "Simon Trinidad", from prison in the United States as a part of the Colombian peace process.

Bill: 114-sres-208
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2015-06-23
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Colombia

Congressional tributes

Crime victims

Detention of persons

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Judicial procedure and administration

Latin America

Terrorism
Latest action: action_date: 2015-06-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4549)

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-06-23
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Opposes the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP)'s requested release of Juvenal Ovidio Ricardo Palmera Pineda (Simon Trinidad), who was convicted by a U.S. jury of plotting to hold three U.S. nationals hostage after they were captured in Colombia and was sentenced to 60 years in prison.</p> <p> Extends sympathies to family members of the victims of FARC-EP atrocities.</p> <p>Recognizes that this type of action would send a negative message to terrorist groups and undermines the U.S. judicial system.</p>

tv_txt: III 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 208 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 23, 2015 Mr. Rubio submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the requested release of convicted terrorist Juvenal Ovidio Ricardo Palmera Pineda, also known as Simon Trinidad , from prison in the United States as a part of the Colombian peace process.

Whereas the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia—Ejército del Pueblo (FARC–EP) is a Marxist insurgency group engaged in a bloody civil war with the Government of Colombia; Whereas FARC–EP has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the Department of State since 1997; Whereas fighting between FARC–EP and the Government of Colombia has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, including United States citizens, since 1964; Whereas multiple FARC–EP terrorists have been indicted, captured, and extradited to the United States to face trial for their crimes against United States citizens; Whereas Juvenal Ovidio Ricardo Palmera Pineda, also known as Simon Trinidad , joined FARC in the 1980s and later became a rebel leader within the FARC–EP; Whereas, on February 13, 2003, a small Cessna airplane carrying 5 people including a United States pilot named Thomas Janis, a Colombian national, Luis Cruz, and 3 other United States nationals, Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell, and Thomas Howes, crashed in Southern Colombia; Whereas heavily armed FARC–EP guerrillas immediately surrounded the plane and brutally executed Thomas Janis and Luis Cruz, then took the other men hostage; Whereas, on April 27, 2003, the FARC–EP issued a communiqué taking credit for the abduction of the three United States nationals, made demands in exchange for the release of the hostages, and appointed Simon Trinidad the spokesperson and negotiator for the FARC–EP; Whereas Simon Trinidad was captured in Ecuador’s capital of Quito 8 months later on January 2, 2004; Whereas Simon Trinidad was convicted by a court in Colombia for aggravated kidnapping and rebellion and sentenced to 35 years in prison on May 4, 2004; Whereas Simon Trinidad was convicted by a United States jury of plotting to hold 3 United States nationals hostage after they were captured in Colombia, and was sentenced to 60 years in prison on January 28, 2008; and Whereas FARC–EP has reportedly named Simon Trinidad a member of their Colombian peace negotiating team and made a request for President Barack Obama to release him: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) opposes the FARC–EP’s requested release of Juvenal Ovidio Ricardo Palmera Pineda, also known as Simon Trinidad , who was convicted by a United States jury of plotting to hold 3 United States nationals hostage after they were captured in Colombia, and was sentenced to 60 years in prison; (2) extends deepest sympathies to all family members of the victims of FARC–EP atrocities; and (3) recognizes this type of action would send a negative message to terrorist groups and undermines the United States judicial system.