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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.
[edit] Commanders
Alias |
Name |
Note |
Jerónimo |
Raúl Duarte |
Alfonso Cano |
Guillermo León Saenz Vargas |
Traditional Ideological Figure |
Iván Ríos |
Manuel Jesús Muñoz Ortiz |
KIA in 2008. |
[edit] 17th Front
Also known as the Angelino Godoy Front, it is composed by up to 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 up to 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 up to 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 up to 80 militants. It operates mostly in the Quindío Department and the Risaralda Department.
Alias |
Name |
Note |
Enrique |
Ciro Gómez Rayo |
|
[edit] 66th Front
Also known as the Joselo Lozada Front, it is composed by up to 150 militants. It operates mostly in the Huila Department.
Alias |
Name |
Note |
Libardo, El Pollo |
|
Killed in September 2007. |
El Indio Humberto |
|
Killed in March 2007. |
[edit] Columns and Companies
The following columns and companies also form part of the Central Bloc:
- 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.
- Column Héroes de Marquetalia: This column also operates in the Tolima Department and is led by a female known as "Mayerly Rendón".
- Column Jacobo Prías Alape: This column also operates in the Tolima Department and is led by two people known as "Calderón" or "Chicharrón" and "Tribilín".
- Company Tulio Varón (Dismantled): 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. It has since been dismantled and fused with the Column Jacobo Prías Alape[2].
[edit] See also