The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, officials announced on Sunday morning that the death of the Marxist group's top leader, Alfonso Cano, last week would not end its guerrilla war against the Colombian government.
On Friday, Guillermo Saenz, known as "Alfonso Cano," was shot to death in a gun battle with government security forces in the jungles of Cauca province. In addition, two FARC terrorists were also killed in the shootout.
FARC is Colombia's largest rebel group and has been in rebellion against the government since it was created in 1964. FARC's leaders have repeatedly turned down offers to hand over their weapons and return to civilian life without punishment.
"Peace in Colombia will not be born in any guerrilla demobilization, but in the abolition of the causes that give rise to the uprising," said the FARC statement, which ended with a tribute to Alfonso Cano.
The FARC statement did not named a new leader. But, according to an intelligence source, either Luciano Marin or Rodrigo Londono would be likely candidates for the top position.
The 65-year old Alfonso Cano became the leader of the terrorist organization three years ago, following the death, by natural causes, of FARC's founder and supreme commander Pedro Nel Marin.
Last month, another top member of FARC, Jose Umenza died in an explosion in a rural part of the Colombia. Umenza chief role was drug-trafficking to finance FARC political and terrorist operations.
FARC is listed by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist organization with several members currently incarcerated in U.S. federal prisons.
Comments