Middle Magdalena Bloc of the FARC-EP

The Middle Magdalena Bloc of the FARC-EP (Spanish: Bloque Magdalena Medio) was a FARC-EP bloc, notable for its involvement in the conflict with the AUC until the latter's demobilization in 2004. After that, it became one of the Colombian army's biggest worries as FARC started once again to gain control over the territory.

The specific divisions of the group are arguable. Some 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
AliasNameNote
Pastor AlapeFélix Antonio Muñoz Lascarro[1]
"Juan Carlos"Killed in 2006.[2]

4th Front

It was composed by up to 100 combatants and operated mostly in the Antioquia Department (Municipalities of Zaragoza, Segovia, Remedios, Amalfi, Vegachí, Yalí, Yondó and Maceo).

AliasNameNote
"Nicolás"Murdered in 2006.[3]
"Juan"Handed himself in and demobilized in August 2010.[4]
"Edward"Handed himself in and demobilized in August 2010.[4]
"Deisy"Handed himself in and demobilized in August 2010.[4]
"Andrea"Handed himself in and demobilized in August 2010.[4]

11th Front

Also known as the José Antonio Anzoategui Front, it was composed by up to 60 combatants and operated mostly in the Boyacá Department. Its leader, who also commanded the 23rd front, was killed in combat in 2006.

AliasNameNote
"Wálter"Killed in 2006.[5]

12th Front

Also known as the José Antonio Galán Front, this front was composed by 90 combatants and was mostly active in the 1980s, giving "protection" to the large emerald dealers of the country.

AliasNameNote
"Nicolas"Killed in 2008.[6]

20th Front

This front was composed by up to 190 combatants and operated in Bolivar,[7] Cesar, Santander, and Norte de Santander Departments. On April 12, 2013, the leader of the front, alias Fabián Brazo surrender to the military. On April 24, alias Amalia, member of the front, is captured. After this two captures, the 20th front was declared by the Colombian authorities dismantled.[8]

AliasNameNote
Dumar o ChatarraFront leader.[9]
Leonardo PatiñoNestor Arturo HincapiéKilled in 2006.[10]
Ernesto 45Nelson Sierra RiveraKilled in 2004.[11]
Diomedes, El GuajiroJosé del Carmen Hoyos MacíasArrested in September 2010.[12][13]
  • Includes the 29 de Mayo Company, which was also under the leadership of Ernesto 45.

23rd Front

Also known as the Policarpa Salavarrieta Front, it was composed by up to 60 combatants and operated mostly in the Santander and Boyacá Departments. Its leader, who also commanded the 11th front, was killed in combat in 2006. By 2012, the Front was almost dismantled, with only 5 combatants forming it.[14]

AliasNameNote
"Wálter"Killed in 2006.[5]
"Nelsón"Carlos Peñalosa MedinaKilled in 2005.[15]
"the Butcher of Landazuri" or "Chaparro"Carlos Iván Peña OrjuelaArrested in September 2009.[16]

24th Front

It was composed by up to 200 combatants and operated mostly in the Santander and Bolívar Departments. In July 2012, 4 members of the front were killed by the army, while one other was captured and one other surrender.[17]

AliasNameNote
"Iván Vargas"Jorge Enrique RodríguezArrested in 2004.[18] and extradited to the United States.[19]
"Rubiel Colorado"Killed in April 2010.
"Erica"Killed in April 2010.
"Dubán","Duván"Killed in April 2010.
"Pipón"Israel Díaz HernándezArrested in April 2011.[20]

33rd Front

Also known as the Mariscal Sucre Front, it was composed by up to 250 combatants and operated mostly in the Norte de Santander Department. Eleven of its members were killed on October 10, 2011.[21] On May 10, 2012, they killed seven members of the Colombian army, near the city of Tibú.[22] Around 10 members, including the front leader, were killed on September 4 and 3, 2014, during a military operation.[23]

AliasNameNote
El Negro Eliécer[24]
"Rubén Zamora"[25]
"El Boyaco"[26]Killed in June 2010
"Danilo Garcia"Jose Epimenio MolinaFront leader. Killed in September 2012.[23]

46th Front

It was composed by up to 90 combatants and operated mostly in the Santander Department.

AliasNameNote
Fidel RomeroRafael Rojas ZuñigaTurned himself in and demobilized in 2003.[27]

South Unit

Referred to in Spanish as Unidad Sur, it operated in the Santander and Boyacá Departments.

AliasNameNote
"Juan Carlos"Killed in 2006.[28]

Columns and Companies

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

  • Mobile Company Ricardo Franco: Operated in the Santander and Antioquia Departments.
  • Company Miguel Francisco Estrada: Operated in the Santander Department.
  • Company Luis Alberto Berrío Vélez: Operated in the Santander Department.
  • Company Raúl Edo Mahecha: Operated in the Bolívar Department.
  • Company Míller Chacón: Operated in the Santander Department.
  • Company 29 de Mayo: Operated in Santander and Norte de Santander departments.
  • Company Gerardo Guevara: Regarded as the "Special Forces" of the FARC in this area of Colombia.
AliasNameNote
"Jimmy" or "Pispo"Killed in April 2011.[29]
  • Pamplona Ocana García Rovira Unit: Operated in the Santander Department.

Notes
  1. U.S. Department of State. "Félix Antonio Muñoz Lascarro" Available online Archived 2008-12-13 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  2. Segunda División Ejército Nacional. "Muerto en combate alias "Juan Carlos"" June 28, 2006. Available online. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  3. Observatorio de Paz Integral. "Boletín Agosto de 2006" August, 2006. Available online Archived 2007-08-23 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  4. http://www.ejercito.mil.co/?idcategoria=255039 Accessed August 26, 2010.
  5. Fuerza Aérea Colombiana. "Sí, uno de los muertos es Walter" March 22, 2006. Available online. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  6. Ejército Nacional de Colombia (2008-10-01). "Muere en combate cabecilla de las Farc". Ejército Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  7. http://www.rebelion.org/docs/132833.pdf
  8. ""Frente 20 de las Farc está prácticamente liquidado"". Vanguardia.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  9. "Hallan un mortero y munición en caleta de las Farc en Lebrija". Vanguardia.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  10. Fuerza Aérea Colombiana. "Murió en combates alias "Leonardo Patiño"" December 21, 2006. Available online. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  11. Ejército Nacional. "Muerto el segundo del frente 20 de las Farc" September 15, 2004. Available online. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  12. Capturado alias "El Guajiro", jefe del frente 20 de las Farc. Available online. Accessed September 8, 2010.
  13. Policia Nacional: Capturado cabecilla del frente 20 de las farc . Available online Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed September 8, 2010.
  14. http://www.vanguardia.com/historico/99041-atento-hallan-caleta-del-frente-23-de-las-farc-en-sucre-santander
  15. Ejército Nacional. "Dado de baja cabecilla del frente 23 de las Farc en Santander" February 21, 2005. Available online. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  16. "Police captures local FARC leader " February 21, 2005. Available online. Accessed September 3, 2009.
  17. "4 FARC rebels killed in northern Colombia: Army". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  18. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. "United States Charges 50 Leaders Of Narco-Terrorist FARC" March 22, 2006. Available online Accessed July 19, 2007.
  19. (in Spanish) eltiempo.com Accessed November 4, 2007 Archived November 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  20. "Cae en Floridablanca temido guerrillero de las Farc experto en explosivos". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  21. "Archivo Digital: Noticias Principales de Colombia y el Mundo en Digital e Impreso - Noticias - ELTIEMPO.COM". eltiempo.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  22. "Atentado de las Farc en La Gabarra deja siete policías muertos y 11 heridos". Vanguardia.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  23. "Right-hand man of FARC supreme leader killed in combat". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  24. "Documento sin título". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  25. BBC Mundo. "Colombia: capturan avión venezolano" January 31, 2002. Available online. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  26. "Muere en combate cabecilla de la cuadrilla 33 de las Farc" June 9, 2010. Available online. Accessed June 9, 2010.
  27. Presidencia de la República. "RUEDA DE PRENSA DEL PRESIDENTE URIBE DURANTE ENTREGA DEL GUERRILLERO RAFAEL ROJAS" April 28, 2003. Available online. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  28. Ejército Nacional de Colombia. "Diez guerrilleros mueren en combates contra el Ejército" June 28, 2006. Available online. Accessed July 19, 2007.
  29. "Policía Nacional de Colombia". Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
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