Central Bloc of the FARC-EP

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Central Bloc of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia operates strategically in the Andes Mountains around the middle of Colombia. The group is seen as the largest threat to Bogotá and its economy, as it operates in areas surrounding the capital. However, strong military action has forced the bloc to hide in remote parts of the mountains, away from many highways and cities. In an indictment in April 2006, the Minister of Defense announced over $5.5 million dollars in rewards for the Central Bloc's highest ranking figures.

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 should not be taken as absolutely reliable. Some of the believed divisions or 'fronts', as they are commonly called, are shown below. It is worth noting that 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.

1 Commanders
2 17th Front
3 21st Front
4 25th Front
5 50th Front
6 Columns and Companies
7 See also
8 Notes

[edit] Commanders

Alias	Name	Note
Iván Ríos	Manuel Jesús Muñoz Ortiz	Peace Negotiator in 1998-2002
Jerónimo	Raúl Duarte
Alfonso Cano	Guillermo León Saenz Vargas	Traditional Ideological Figure

[edit] 17th Front

Also known as the Angelino Godoy Front, it is composed by around 120 militants. It operates mostly in the Huila Department. Its current leadership has not been clarified.

Alias	Name	Note
Geovany, "Gringo"		Captured in 2005.

[edit] 21st Front

Also known as La Gaitana Front, it is composed by around 120 militants. It operates mostly in the Tolima Department and the Quindío Department.

Alias	Name	Note
Marlon	Eduardo Rayo
"Pedronel"	Abel Tavera
Donald

[edit] 25th Front

Also known as the Armando Ríos Front, it is composed by around 120 militants. It operates mostly in the Tolima Department and the Cundinamarca Department.

Alias	Name	Note
"Bertil"	Enelio Ganoa
"Tito"	Víctor Muñoz

[edit] 50th Front

Also known as Cacique Calarca Front, it is composed by around 80 militants. It operates mostly in the Quindío Department and the Risaralda Department.

Alias	Name	Note
Enrique	Ciro Gómez Rayo

[edit] Columns and Companies

The following columns and companies also form part of the Central Bloc:

Company Tulio Varón: Also known as the Front Tulio Varón, it operates in the Tolima Department. Its most recent leader, Eduardo Fajardo, alias "Walter", was killed in March 2007^[1]. Its preceding leader, Roberto Olaya Caicedo, alias "El Venado", was killed in late 2006.
Column Daniel Aldana: This column is widely known in the Tolima Department, where most of its operations take place. Its financial director, known as "El Indio" was captured in 2005. In recent and unconfirmed developments in 2006, its last known leader Gustavo González López, alias "Rambo", was killed by government troops.
Columna Héroes de Marquetalia: This column also operates in the Tolima Department and is led by a female known as "Mayerly Rendón".
Columna Jacobo Prías Alape: This column also operates in the Tolima Department and is led by a person known as "Calderón" or "Chicharrón".
Company Joselo Lozada: This company is composed by 150 militants and also operates in Tolima Department. Its leader is known as "Libardo" or "El Pollo". Its second in command, known as alias "El Indio Humberto", was killed by army troops in March 2007.