|
The Colombian defence ministry revealed recently that it has information from various intelligence sources that the legendary leader of Latin America’s largest guerilla army is dead. The ministry in a statement revealed that they have information from various military intelligence means that the commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, Manuel ‘Sureshot’ Marulanda died on March 26, 2008.
The defense ministry statement further read that whether the death of Marulanda came in a bombardment or from natural causes, this would be the most serious blow this terrorist group has suffered. Marulanda, whose real name is Pedro Antonio Marin has led FARC since its founding in 1964. The Colombian government has in fact announced the death of the guerilla group leader on several occasions in the past fifteen years, but every time few months later a proof cropped up that he is alive.
Admiral David Moreno, military’s chief of the staff further revealed that Marulanda has been replaced as FARC leader by a rebel ideologue known as Alfonso Cano. Marulanda’s deadly aim in the combat against the army had earned him the name ‘Sureshot’. The commander was born in a poor peasant family and was radicalized by the vicious civil wars that ravaged Colombia in the middle if the last century. Senior commanders within the FARC talk about Marulanda with great awe, and he is known to have the final word over any major decision taken by the terrorist organization.
