The Southern Bloc of the FARC-EP was the first bloc of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia to exist and is where the roots of the guerrilla movement lie. The bloc has been held responsible for several notorious attacks, including the infamous "donkey-bomb", numerous attacks against military bases, as well as Íngrid Betancourt´s kidnapping. It was also blamed by government investigators and prosecutors for the bombing of the El Nogal club. FARC itself denied that any of its members were responsible for the attack.
The bloc operates in much of the area that borders with Ecuador and Peru, with some supposed incursions into foreign territory. The government suspects that many FARC leaders may be hiding in the jungles protected by the South Bloc.
The specific divisions of the group are arguable. Because of the current conflict existing in the country, much of the information recovered is conflicting and cannot be taken as absolutely reliable. Some of the believed divisions or 'fronts', as they are commonly called, are shown below. Many of these fronts sometimes work together towards a certain mission, while others are further divided into 'columns' and 'companies' with a smaller number of members. For more general information see FARC-EP Chain of Command.
Commanders
edit| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Joaquín Gómez, "Usuriaga" | Milton de Jesús Toncel Redondo | |
| "Fabián Ramírez" | José Benito Cabrera Cuevas | |
| "Sonia" | Anayibe Rojas | Captured and extradited in 2004. |
| Jairo Martinez | 4th in command of this bloc[1] |
2nd Front
editAlso known as the Isaías Pardo Front, up to 120 militants form it. It operates mostly in the Nariño Department and the Caquetá Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ovidio Matallana | Bladimir Ballén Garzón |
3rd Front (dismantled)
editUp to 100 militants form this front that operates mostly in the Caquetá Department and the Huila Department. Its current leadership is unclear.
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| "Montoya" | Hernando Medina | Killed in 2005. |
13th Front
editUp to 150 militants form this front that operates mostly in the Caquetá Department and the Huila Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| "Caballo" | Alexánder Duque |
14th Front
editUp to 250 militants form this front that operates mostly in the Caquetá Department. It is considered one of the most important fronts of the Southern Bloc.
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fabián Ramírez | José Benito Cabrero Cuevas | Commander of the Southern Bloc. |
| Faiber | Captured in 2005. |
15th Front
editAlso known as the José Ignacio Mora Front, around 300 militants and 2,000 non-combatants form it.[2] It operates mostly in the Caquetá Department. The group is considered responsible for Íngrid Betancourt´s kidnapping. In March 2012, the group was held responsible for taking a French journalist, Roméo Langlois, as an hostage during an attack in which 4 Colombian soldiers were killed. Langlois was released a month later.[3][4][5]
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmer | Front commander | |
| "El Mocho César", "César Arroyabe" | Josué Ceballos | Killed in 2002. |
| Adiela | Demobilized in August 2010.[6] | |
| "La Flaca" | Demobilized on October 26, 2010.[7] | |
| "Colacho" | Second in charge of this front. Killed in April 2011.[8] | |
| "Diomédez" or "Diomedes" | He participated in the kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt in 2002. Killed in April 2011.[8] |
32nd Front
editUp to 170 militants form this front that operates mostly in the Putumayo Department and the Caquetá Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| "Robledo" | Humberto Caballero Cortés | |
| Arley Leal | Regulo Leal | Captured in 2007. |
48th Front
editAlso known as the Antonio José de Sucre, up to 450 militants form it. It operates mostly in the Putumayo Department. The group is very active in the border with Ecuador and was suspected of sheltering Raúl Reyes before his death in a Colombian cross border raid on 01 March 2008.
On September 19, 2010, the National Police reported the death of more than 20 guerrilla combatants from this front.[9][10][11][12]
On November 15, 2010, 17 body of suspected FARC members were recovered after Colombia Forces carried out a bombing in FARC 48th front.[13] Two suspected member were children, probably kidnapped by FARC: 12-year-old Jimmy Lee, a Colombian refugee in Ecuador, and 15-year-old Doris Carolina Cadena Benarcazar, an Ecuadorian citizen from Carchi Province.[14] Ecuador denounces the recruitment of Ecuadorean minors into the ranks of Colombia's FARC guerrilla group.[15]
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Robledo | Front commander[16] | |
| "Danilo" | Fabio Ramírez Artunduaga | Captured in Ecuador on June 27, 2011.[17][18] |
| "Édgar Tovar" | Ángel Gabriel Lozada | Killed in 2010 |
| "Uriel" | Nelson Yaguará Méndez | Captured in Ecuador in 2005. |
| "Eliseo" | Demobilized in April 2010. | |
| "Saúl" | Demobilized in July 2010.[19] | |
| "Domingo Biojó" | Sixto Antonio Cabaña Guillén | Killed in 2010 among the deaths reported by the Police on 2010.09.19.[20] |
| "Lucero","Lucero Palmera" | María Victoria Hinojosa | Killed in 2010 among the deaths reported by the Police on 2010.09.19.[21] |
| "John Freddy Pitufo" | Killed in 2010 among the deaths reported by the Police on 2010.09.19.[21] | |
| "Caballo" | Killed in 2010 among the deaths reported by the Police on 2010.09.19.[21] | |
| "Segundo Cuéllar" | Killed in 2010 among the deaths reported by the Police on 2010.09.19.[21] | |
| "Oliver Solarte" | Killed on March 14, 2011, during Operation "Marte" (Mars)[22][23] | |
| "Julián Conrado", "El cantante" | Guillermo Enrique Torres Cueter | Captured in Venezuela on Monday May 30, 2011.[24][25][26] |
| "Euclides" | Killed in September 2011.[27][28] | |
| "Marihuano" | Jhon Erlinton Pianda Dovicamo | Explosive expert, captured on April 27, 2012.[29] |
| "El mexicano" | Justo Galindo Reina | Former member of 32nd and 49th front, captured on April 27, 2012.[29] |
49th Front
editAround 50 to 100 militants form this front that operates in the Cauca and Caquetá Departments.
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| El Mojoso | Wilson Peña Maje | Front commander |
| Poncho | Demobilized in August 2010.[30] | |
| "Rubín Castañeda" | Héctor Alirio Quintero Ríos | Captured on September 2, 2011.[31] |
61st Front
editAlso known as the Timanco Front, up to 70 militants form it. It operates mostly in the Huila Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| "Águila Negra" | Bercelio Castro | Arrested in 2007. |
| "Franklin" | ||
| "El Flaco" |
Mobile Column Teófilo Forero
editAs of 2013, at least 220[32] specialized militants form this powerful group that operates mostly in the Huila Department and the Caquetá Department, with much urban activity around the country.
| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| "El Paisa" | Óscar Montero | |
| "Diván" | Second in command.[33] | |
| "Genaro" | KIA in 2008. | |
| "Genaro" | Luis González or Genaro Corredor Pinzón | Captured on Thursday April 21, 2011.[34][35] |
| "Tropezón" or "Edgar" | Junior Lozano Urrea | Deputy of alias "Genaro" (captured in 2011/04/21). Killed in April 2011.[36] |
| "Jecko" | Captured on Thursday April 21, 2011.[34] | |
| "La Marrana" | Captured on Thursday April 21, 2011.[34] | |
| "Yerbas" | Humberto Valbuena Morales | Captured in 2006. |
| "Ledis"; "woman of a thousand faces" | Mónica Echeverry | Captured in May 2010.[37] |
| "Dilmer" | Alfonso Solano Rincón | Killed on February 5, 2011.[38] |
| "Pedro" | Herminsul Arellán Barajas | Captured in March 2011.[39] |
| "El ingeniero" | Aldemar Soto Charry | Main explosive expert of the Column Teófilo Forero. Captured in April 2011.[40] |
Mobile Column Yesid Ortiz
editAccording to the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, the Yesid Ortiz Mobile Column was created by fusing remnants of the Teofilo Forero Mobile Column, the 3rd and 14th fronts into a single group which were weakened by the Military of Colombia as part of the Plan Patriota. The main objective of this unit according to El Tiempo is to recover lost territory in the Department of Caqueta.[41]
Medical Commission
edit| Alias | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| "Cristian" or "Doctor agujas" | Heberto Sánchez Tamayo | Physician. Coordinator of the care for the rebels in Southern and Eastern Blocs. Captured on September 24, 2011.[42] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "El comandante 'Jairo Martínez'". ElEspectador. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Americas - FARC rebels say they are holding FRANCE 24 journalist". France 24. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "'FARC' who captured French journalist wore civilian clothing: Military - Colombia News - Colombia Reports". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Se conocen identidades de militares y policías muertos y heridos en Caquetá". Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "BBC News - French reporter Romeo Langlois freed in Colombia by Farc rebels". BBC News. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ a b Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Policía Nacional de Colombia". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Ministerio de Defensa Nacional - Republica de Colombia". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "International News - World News - ABC News". ABC News. Retrieved 16 December 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Santos felicita a las Fuerzas Militares por operativo donde murieron guerrilleros de las Farc". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Son 17 los guerrilleros abatidos por la Fuerza Aérea en Ipiales". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Colombia confirms death of Ecuadorean girl in FARC camp raid". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Ecuador denounces FARC recruitment of minors". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Alias 'Robledo', de las Farc, sería responsable del ataque en Orito". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Capturado en Ecuador el jefe del frente 48 de las Farc". eltiempo.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Capturado en Ecuador el jefe del frente 48 de las Farc". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Alias "Domingo Biojó" fue abatido en operación contra las Farc en Putumayo". www.elcolombiano.com. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Murió alias 'Lucero', compañera sentimental de 'Simón Trinidad'". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ http://www.cgfm.mil.co/CGFMPortal/index.jsp?option=noticiaDisplay&idNoti=4937 [bare URL]
- ^ "Farc 'drug boss' killed in Colombia". The Irish Times.
- ^ EL UNIVERSO (June 2011). "Capturan en Venezuela a 'Julián Conrado', miembro del estado mayor de las FARC". El Universo. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Capturan al jefe guerrillero 'Julián Conrado'". ElEspectador. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Gracias al Presidente Chavez por la captura de alias "Julian Conrado" terrorista de las Farc que tanto daño le hizo al país" [Thanks to President Chavez for the capture of alias "Julian Conrado" FARC terrorist who did so much damage to the country.]. Twitter. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Colombia: cuatro guerrilleros de FARC muertos en bombardeo cerca de Ecuador". Terra. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ The Charlotte Observer [dead link]
- ^ a b "Noticias Cortas". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "El grupo élite de las Farc que obsesiona a las Fuerzas Militares". eltiempo.com. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Un herido en ataque de las Farc a caravana de transporte de petróleo". Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ a b c El Pais S.A. "Capturado alias Genaro, segundo en la columna Teófilo Forero de las Farc". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Señal Radio Colombia". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "FARC queen of disguise captured". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ http://www.ejercito.mil.co/?idcategoria=276641 Cayó experto en fabricación de morteros y granadas hechizas
- ^ http://m.elespectador.com/noticias/judicial/articulo-255039-capturan-al-autor-material-del-atentado-al-club-el-nogal Capturan autor del atentado al club El Nogal
- ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Nuevo frente de las Farc pretende volver a ejercer dominio en Caquetá". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ Ejército de Colombia: "Capturado alias ‘Cristian o doctor agujas’, cabecilla comisión médica, perteneciente al Bloque Sur de las FARC" September 24, 2011. [1]