Central Bloc of the FARC-EP

The Central Bloc of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia operated strategically in the Andes Mountains, around the middle of Colombia. The group was considered as the largest threat to Bogotá and its economy, as it operated in areas surrounding the capital. Strong military action in the 2000s, however, forced the bloc to hide in remote parts of the mountains, away from many highways and cities.

The specific divisions of the group are arguable.bSome of the believed divisions or 'fronts', as they were commonly called, are shown below. Many of these fronts sometimes worked together towards a certain mission, while others were further divided into 'columns' and 'companies' with a smaller number of members. For more general information see FARC-EP Chain of Command.

Commanders

Alias Name Note

Source:[1]

Marlon Bloc commander[1]
Jerónimo Raúl Duarte
Jerónimo Galeano Arquímedes Muñoz Villamil Killed on March 20, 2011 [2]
Alfonso Cano Guillermo León Saenz Vargas Traditional ideological figure and commander in chief. Killed in action.
"Simón Bernate" Leonardo Chaux Hernández One of the trusted men of alias "Jerome Galeano" and alias "Alfonso Cano". He was 3rd leader of the "Miller Salcedo" company, and in the last four years he was the political head of the Central Bloc. Captured in April 2011.[3][4]
"El Abuelo" Alirio Rojas Bocanegra Killed on June 2, 2011.[5] He was security chief for alias "Alfonso Cano". In the same operation by the Colombian Army also was killed alias "Laura", a woman radio operator for alias "El Abuelo".

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 Cauca. It had around 300 members in 2011.[6]

Alias Name Note
Alfonso Cano Guillermo León Saenz Killed on November 4, 2011

17th Front

Also known as the Angelino Godoy Front, it was composed by around 150 militants as of 2011.[7] It operated mostly in the Huila Department. The leader of this front was 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]

Alias Name Note
Héctor Comidita José Orlando Orlando Ortiz[8]
"Geovany", "Gringo" Captured in 2005.
"Rigo", "Paisa" Rigoberto Zuluaga Moncada Killed in May 2010.
"Jeimmy" Diana Cortés Killed in May 2010.
"Robinson" Angelino Godoy Killed in October 2011.[10]

21st Front

Also known as La Gaitana Front, it was composed by up to 120 militants. It operates mostly in the Tolima and the Quindío Departments.

Alias Name Note
Didier Luis Fernando Mendez considered to be 'the mastermind of extortion' in the Tolima region. Killed in January 2011[11][12]
El Tío Front commander[13]
Giovanni Second or third in command[13]
Jennifer Killed in January 2011
Riano Killed in January 2011
Robinson Alleged explosive expert. Captured in January 2011
Marlon Eduardo Rayo
Pedronel Abel Tavera
Donald
Maria Rubiela Rubio Gualtero Captured in March 2011 [14]
Miro Argemiro Cuellar Mendoz Captured in March 2011 [14]
Carlos Pulgas Third in command, killed in October 2011[15]

25th Front

Also known as the Armando Ríos Front, it was composed by up to 120 militants. It operated mostly in the Tolima Department.[16] It was 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]

Alias Name Note
Camilo Front leader. Killed in March 2012.[20]
"Bertil" Enelio Ganoa KIA in 2008.
"Tito" Víctor Muñoz
"Arcadia" Albeiro Garcia Main leader, captured in July 2011.
"Gonzalo" Antonio Jimenez Alleged chief financial officer, captured in July 2011.

50th Front

Also known as Cacique Calarcá Front, it was composed by up to 80 militants. It operated mostly in the Quindío and Risaralda Departments. The front was announced to have been dismantled by the Colombian Army in 2010.[21]

Alias Name Note
Enrique Ciro Gómez Rayo Killed in March 2010.

66th Front

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

Alias Name Note
Mario Second in command, captured in March 2011.[22]
Davier Part of Mario's security ring, killed in March 2011.[22]
Libardo, El Pollo Killed in September 2007.
El Indio Humberto Killed in March 2007.
Eliecer Killed in April 2010.
Araceli Wounded in combat and captured on July 18, 2010.[23]
Didier, Víctor Captured on July 28, 2010.[24]
Eduardo Captured on July 28, 2010.[24]
Anuar Wounded in combat and captured on July 28, 2010.[24]
Santiago Jaiber López Aldana[25] Killed on October 9, 2010.[26]
Fredy Quina Pinzón Killed on October 9, 2010.[25]
Vladimir Killed on November 12, 2010.[27]

Columns and Companies

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

  • Column 'Alfredo González'. Operated in the southern part of the Tolima department. It was led by alias 'Teófilo'. In June 2011 the column killed a Colombian soldier while losing its 4th in command 'Arnulfo' in combat.[28]
  • Column Daniel Aldana: This column was widely known in the Tolima Department, where most of its operations took place. Its financial director, known as "El Indio" was captured in 2005. 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 operated 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 operated in the Tolima Department and was led by two people known as "Calderón" or "Chicharrón", and "Tribilín".
  • Company Tulio Varón: Also known as the Front Tulio Varón, it operated in the Tolima Department. Its 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

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  2. ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  3. ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Ejército colombiano captura a presunto ideólogo de guerrilla de las FARC". Terra. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  5. ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  6. ^ El Pais S.A. "Presidente Santos dice que cada vez están más cerca de 'Alfonso Cano'". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Las Farc buscan recuperar ruta en el Huila". Retrieved 16 December 2014.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ a b "La Nación » 'La Mona' cayó con cartas de condolencia por muerte de 'Alfonso Cano'". Archived from the original on 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  9. ^ "FARC guerrillas demobilized after clash with army". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Army troops kill 'FARC commander' in central Colombia - Colombia News - Colombia Reports". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Archived from the original on 27 October 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  11. ^ "FARC 'mastermind of extortion' killed in Tolima - Colombia News - Colombia Reports". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  12. ^ Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Abatido alias 'Orlando', extorsionista y explosivista del frente 21 de las Farc - El Nuevo Día". Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  14. ^ a b Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  15. ^ "3rd-in-command of FARC squadron killed: Colombian Army". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  16. ^ "Localizan caletas de armas y víveres de las Farc en Tolima". ElEspectador. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  17. ^ El Pais S.A. "Ataque de las Farc en La Línea deja tres policías heridos". Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  18. ^ a b "6 'FARC' captured by police in west Colombia - Colombia News - Colombia Reports". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  19. ^ "FARC 25th Front leader captured". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  20. ^ "'FARC has suffered 2 historic blows': Santos - Colombia News - Colombia Reports". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  21. ^ "Colombian forces destroy FARC's 50th Front - Colombia news". Colombia Reports. 2010-03-31. Archived from the original on 2010-04-04. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  22. ^ a b http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/15252-army-captures-second-in-command-of-farcs-66th-front.html Archived 2012-03-25 at the Wayback Machine FARC commander captured - Colombia News
  23. ^ "Capturada cabecilla principal del frente 66 'Joselo Lozada' de las Farc - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejercito.mil.co. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  24. ^ a b c "Capturado alias ´Didier´ hombre de confianza de ´Alfonso Cano´ - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejercito.mil.co. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  25. ^ a b "Mueren en combate cuatro guerrilleros de las FARC". CaracolTV.com. Archived from the original on 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  26. ^ "Cae cabecilla de finanzas de la cuadrilla ´Joselo Lozada´ de las Farc - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejercito.mil.co. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  27. ^ http://www.ejercito.mil.co/?idcategoria=266775 Muere en combate alias ‘Vladimir’ segundo cabecilla de la cuadrilla 66 de las Farc
  28. ^ "Ejército dio de baja a alias 'Arnulfo', en el sur del Tolima - El Heraldo". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  29. ^ "13 FARC rebels captured in southwest Colombia". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  30. ^ "Fuerzas Militares y Policía afectan anillo de seguridad de alias ‘Cano’" Available online. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  31. ^ "¿Quién era alias 'Mayerly', la mano derecha de 'Alfonso Cano'?" Available online Archived 2010-07-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  32. ^ Ejército Nacional de Colombia. "Muere en combates contra el Ejército cabecilla de las Farc" March 3, 2007. Available online. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  33. ^ El Tiempo. "Sexta Brigada dice que la muerte de cinco extorsionistas es fin del frente Tulio Varón de las Farc" February 15, 2008. Available online. Retrieved February 15, 2008.