Central Bloc of the FARC-EP

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 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 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

16th Front

The 16th Front was responsible for the personal security of Alfonso Cano until he left the front in September 2011 and, together with a small group of 15 guerrillas, started moving south through Huila and finally Cauca. It has around 300 members as of 2011.^[6]

17th Front

Also known as the Angelino Godoy Front, it is composed by around 150 militants as of 2011.^[7] It operates mostly in the Huila Department. The leader of this front is, as of 2011, José Orlando Orlando Ortiz, alias ‘Héctor Comidita’^[8] Two members of the front died and 5 others surrenders after clashes with the Colombian army, on August 1, 2012.^[9]

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.

25th Front

Also known as the Armando Ríos Front, it is composed by up to 120 militants. It operates mostly in the Tolima Department.^[16] It is responsible for several attacks against security forces in 2011 in the Huila and Caqueta departments.^[17][18] In July 2011, 9 members of the front were arrested and 2 others killed by security forces.^[19] Six other members were captured on October 12.^[18]

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. The front is announced to have been dismantled by the Colombian Army.^[21]

66th Front

Also known as the Joselo Lozada Front, it is composed by up to 150 militants. It operates mostly in the Huila Department.

Columns and Companies

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

• Column 'Alfredo Gonzalez'. Operates in the southern part of the Tolima department. It is led by alias 'Teófilo'. In June 2011 the column killed a Colombian soldier while losing its 4:th in command 'Arnulfo' in combat.^[28]
• 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. In April 2013, 13 members of the column were arrested^[29]
• Column Héroes de Marquetalia: This column also operates in the Tolima Department and was led by a female, Magaly Grannobles, alias "Marleny Rondón" and "Mayerly", killed on July 11, 2010 in Operation Berlín.^[30][31]
• 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.^[32] 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.^[33]

References

Colombian conflict (1964–present)
Participants			Timeline	Key aspects
			• La Violencia (1948-1958) • Marquetalia Republic • The National Front • Dominican Embassy (1980) • Palace of Justice (1985) • Patriotic Union Party extermination • Humanitarian exchange • Mapiripán Massacre (1997) • Peace process (1999-2002) • Bojayá massacre (2002) • Valle del Cauca Deputies hostage crisis (2002-2009) • El Nogal Club bombing (2003) • Parapolitics scandal (2006–7) • Operation Emmanuel • Andean diplomatic crisis (2008) • Operation Jaque	Lawsuits  • Sinaltrainal v. Coca-Cola (2001) • Rodriquez v. Drummond (2003) • Doe v. Chiquita (2007)  Kidnappings  • Kidnappings in Colombia • List of political hostages held by FARC  Illegal drug trade  • Illegal drug trade in Colombia • War on Drugs • Narcoterrorism  Government aspects  • Democratic security • Plan Colombia • Plan Patriota • Colombia–United States relations • Human rights in Colombia • Politics of Colombia
Guerrillas	Government of Colombia	Paramilitaries
• FARC-EP • ELN • EPL • List of FARC attacks Former guerrillas • M19 • MOEC • CGSB • ERP • Jorge Alberto Rodriguez The 400 • Movimiento Armado Quintin Lame Linked to • PCCC • Foro de São Paulo • PCC(M-L) • Cuban revolutionaries • Provisional IRA • ETA • ANNCOL • Fighters+Lovers • Colombian drug cartels • Some politicians	Military Forces of Colombia: National Army Air Force Navy Colombian Naval Infantry National Police Other: Migración Colombia Attorney General units Former government program • CONVIVIR Linked to • DynCorp International •  United Nations •  United States •  European Union •  Canada	• Águilas Negras • Los Rastrojos • Los Urabeños Former paramilitaries • AUC • AAA Linked to • Spearhead Ltd • Colombian drug cartels • CONVIVIR • Some Colombian military personnel • Some politicians
	Colombian armed conflict at Wiktionary  Colombian armed conflict at Wikibooks      Colombian armed conflict at Wikiquote  Colombian armed conflict at Wikisource       Colombian armed conflict at Commons  Colombian armed conflict at Wikinews