Southern Bloc of the FARC-EP

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The Southern Bloc of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia was the first bloc to exist and is where the roots of the guerilla movement lie. This bloc is held responsible for several notorious attacks, including the infamous "donkey-bomb", numerous attacks against military bases, the bombing of "El Nogal", and Íngrid Betancourt´s kidnapping. The bloc operates in much of the area that borders with Ecuador and Perú, 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 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 2nd Front
3 3rd Front
4 13th Front
5 14th Front
6 15th Front
7 32nd Front
8 48th Front
9 49th Front
10 61st Front
11 Mobile Column Teófilo Forero
12 See also

[edit] Commanders

Alias	Name	Note
Fabián Ramírez	José Benito Cabrera Cuevas
Joaquín Gómez, "Usuriaga"	Milton de Jesús Toncel Redondo
Sonia	Nayibé Rojas	Captured and extradited in 2004.

[edit] 2nd Front

Also known as the Isaías Pardo Front, about 120 militants form it. It operates mostly in the Nariño Department and the Caquetá Department.

Alias	Name	Note
Ovidio Matallana	Bladimir Ballén Garzón

[edit] 3rd Front

About 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.

[edit] 13th Front

About 150 militants form this front that operates mostly in the Caquetá Department and the Huila Department.

Alias	Name	Note
"Caballo"	Alexánder Duque

[edit] 14th Front

About 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.

[edit] 15th Front

Also known as the José Ignacio Mora Front, about 250 militants form it. It operates mostly in the Caquetá Department. The group is considered responsible for Íngrid Betancourt´s kidnapping.

Alias	Name	Note
Wilmer
"El Mocho César", "César Arroyabe"	Josué Ceballos	Killed in 2002.

[edit] 32nd Front

About 170 militants form this front that operates mostly in the Putumayo Department and the Caquetá Department.

Alias	Name	Note
"Robledo"	Humberto Caballero Cortés

[edit] 48th Front

Also known as the Antonio José de Sucre, about 120 militants form it. It operates mostly in the Putumayo Department. The group is very active in the border with Ecuador and is suspected to shelter Raúl Reyes, a high ranking FARC officer.

Alias	Name	Note
Édgar Tovar	Ángel Gabriel Lozada
Uriel	Nelson Yaguará Méndez	Captured in Ecuador in 2005.

[edit] 49th Front

About 170 militants form this front that operates mostly in the Caquetá Department.

Alias	Name	Note
"El Mojoso"	Wilson Peña Maje

[edit] 61st Front

Also known as the Timanco Front, about 70 militants form it. It operates mostly in the Huila Department.

Alias	Name	Note
"Franklin"
"El Flaco"

[edit] Mobile Column Teófilo Forero

About 90 specialized militants form this powerful group that operates mostly in the Huila Department and the Caquetá Department, with much urban activity around the country. It is usually held responsible for the 2003 bombing of "El Nogal".