Eastern Bloc of the FARC-EP

The Eastern Bloc of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, from September 2010 known as Bloque Comandante Jorge Briceño, in honour of the slain guerrilla leader,[1] is considered by many to be the strongest military faction of the guerrilla group. It is divided into groups of 50-400 combatants in each group which patrol and control different areas of Colombia's Eastern and Central-Eastern territory, as well as helping to carry out the killing, taxation, and arrests necessary to advance the organization's financial and political goals. The specific divisions of the group are arguable. 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 Chain of Command.

Commanders

This group of commanders is sometimes called the "EMBO" (Estado Mayor del Bloque Oriental). The United States Department of Justice and the Government of Colombia offer rewards for all of them.

Alias Name Note
El Médico Mauricio Jaramillo Wilson Valderrama Cano, Jaime Alberto Parra Commands Bloque Jorge Briceño[2]
Germán Briceño Suárez, "Grannobles" Noé Suárez Rojas [3]
Jorge Briceño Suárez, "Mono Jojoy" Víctor Julio Suárez Rojas [4] Commander of FARC's military wing, killed by the Colombian army, on September 22, 2010, during the bombing of his camps.
Carlos Antonio Lozada [5] Injured by a Colombian army attack in August 2007.[6]
"Romaña" Henry Castellanos Garón [7]
"Manuel" or "Pata Palo" Pablo Emilio Rodríguez After the death of "Mono Jojoy", he took over the finances of the Eastern Bloc, under the orders of his brother Noe Suarez Rojas, alias "Grannobles". Captured in April 2011.[8]
Andrés París[9]
Alexandra Tanja Nijmeijer [10]
"Brian", "Braian", or "Brayan" Fardy Edilson Para Parra Involved in extortion on behalf of FARC. He belonged to the front 27, 31, 40 and 53, respectively. Captured on September 2, 2011.[11][12]

1st Front

Also known as the Armando Ríos Front, it is composed of around to 400 people.[13] It operates mostly in the Guaviare Department.

Alias Name Note
Reynaldo [14]
César Gerardo Aguilar Ramírez [15] Arrested in 2008 during Operation Jaque.[16]
Doris Adriana Luz Dary Conde Arrested in 2008.[17]
Alfredo Handed himself over to the Army in April 2010 with "Jair" and a hostage girl.
Jair Handed himself over to the Army in April 2010 with "Alfredo" and a hostage girl.

7th Front

Also known as the Jacobo Prías Alape Front, it is composed of up to 400 people. It operates mostly in the Meta Department.

Alias Name Note
Nancy Astrid Conte Gutierrez One of the leaders of the Front, captured on June 2012.[18]

10th Front

Also known as the Guadalupe Salcedo Front, it is composed of up to 300 people.[19] It operates mostly in the Arauca Department. Several police officers infiltrated one of the FARC’s 10th front camp in early 2008, preparing an attack on the camp by a police squadron. The attack came on July 29, killing 'Jurga Jurga', FARC commander and friend of FARC head ‘Mono Jojoy’. The ground offensive was follow by an airforce attack, killing 20 guerrillas, unofficial sources said. On October 22, 2011, members of the front killed 10 Colombians soldiers in an ambush in Arauca.[20] On March 17, 2012, alleged members of the 10th front killed 11 members of the Colombian army. Security forces launched an offensive few days after the attack: on March 20, 3 alleged member of the FARC are killed and 4 captured by the army. On March 21, 33 FARC members were allegedly killed and 5 others captured.[21]

Alias Name Note
"El Marrano" Carlos Julio Ávila Accused of executing three US citizens in 1999.[22]
"Jurga Jurga" Killed by Colombian security forces on July 29, 2008 [23]
"Camilo Tuerto" Captured by Colombian security forces on April 11, 2009. Also second in command for the Reinel Mendez Company.[24]
"Lorena" Captured on May 16, 2010, member of the Reinel Mendez Company.[25]
"Milton Díaz" Jhon Javier Ariza Gil Also second in command for the Mobile Column Afonso Castellanos. Killed by Colombian security forces on August, 2010 [26]
"Fabian" Killed by Colombian security forces on October 8, 2010,[27][28] he had replaced "Milton".
"Katerine" María Johana Arias Jáuregui Killed by Colombian security forces on October 8, 2010 [27][28] She was lover of alias "Grannobles".
"Viviana" Alleged guerrilla girlfriend of 10th Front commander "Efren". Wounded and captured on July 2011.[29]
"Perico" One of the head front commander, captured on October 25.[20]
"Misael Second front commander. Killed on March 21st, 2012.
"Carracho" Danielo Benavidez Financial and logistical head of the front. Captured on August 18, 2012.[30]
"Yudi" Alleged "Carracho" daughter. Medics of the front. Captured on August 18, 2012.[31]
"David" and "Chocha Linda" William Alexander Salazar Acosta Front commander. Killed on September 23, 2012.[32]

16th Front

Also known as the Jose A. Paez Front, it is composed of up to 300 people. It operates mostly in the Vichada Department.

Alias Name Note
Guillermo [14]
"El Negro Acacio" Tomás Medina Caracas Killed in 2007.[33]
Gentil Alvis Patiño, "El Chigüiro" Juan José Martínez Vega Captured in Venezuela in 2005.
"Octavio Cocopi" Killed on January 1, 2011.[34]

22nd Front

Also known as the Simón Bolívar Front, it is composed of up to 120 people. It operates mostly in the Cundinamarca Department.

Alias Name Note
Hugo Wílmer Antonio Marín Cano Captured in 2003.[35]
"Géner Lara Muñoz", "Lucio" or "Lucio 40" Néstor Ramírez Muñoz He is a nephew of Luis Alberto Morantes, alias "Jacobo Arenas" (Founder and leader of FARC). Captured in April 2011.[8][36]
Judith Paola Andrea Arévalo Captured in April 2011.[8][36]

26th Front

Also known as the Hermogenes Maza Front, it is composed of up to 130 people. It operates mostly in the Meta Department. As of 2011 this front operates in La Uribe, Vista Hermosa, La Macarena and other municipalities.[37][38]

Alias Name Note
Hugo Sandóval Ruiz Ángel Oviedo Yara Killed in 2007.[39]
Hermidas Wálter Flórez Candil Captured in 2004.
Pablo Neruda Fabián Bedoya Salamanca Captured on April 10, 2010.
Kevin Demobilized in April 2010.
Gabino Demobilized in April 2010.
"Jaime Guey" or "Guaimaro" Captured in April 2010, by the Police in Engativá (Cundinamarca).

27th Front

It is composed of up to 500 people and operates mostly in the Meta Department.

Alias Name Note
Arcesio Niño Killed on 22-03-12.[40]
Efrén Luis Eduardo López Méndez
"Jhon 40" Gener García Molina
"El médico" or "el tío" Elver Uriel Rodriguez Captured on March 27, 2008[41][42]
El Pija Rodrigo Gaitán Rincón Captured on April 5, 2010.
Pitufo Bertulfo Caicedo Garzón Captured. Jailed in the Cómbita prison.
Mariela Handed herself to the Army on October 28, 2010.[43]

28th Front

Also known as the José María Córdoba Front, it is composed of up to 120 people. It operates mostly in the Casanare Department and the Boyacá Department.

Alias Name Note
Julián Arévalo Aristipo Aponte Alvarado Killed in April 2014.[44]
Alberto Guevara José Nelson Garzón Captured in 2003.
Pirinolo Alexánder Beltrán Warder of the US hostages Gonsalves, Stansell and Howes. Captured in February 2011.[45]

31st Front

This front was composed by up to 120 combatants and operated mostly in the Meta Department. However, it has not been notably active since its head, Duván Alberto Cartagena, was captured.[38]

38th Front

Also known as the Ciro Trujillo Castaño Front, it is composed of up to 100 people. It operates mostly in the Casanare Department and the Boyacá Department.

Alias Name Note
Rogelio Front leader[46]
Karen Bodyguard of Efraín Méndez, killed on April 2012[47]
Sandra Bodyguard of Efraín Méndez, killed on April 2012[47]
Sucre Bodyguard of Efraín Méndez, killed on April 2012[47]
Yaír Félix Antonio Lara Cifuentes Captured in 2004.

39th Front

Also known as the Joaquin Ballen Front, it is composed of anything between 40 and 300 people. It operates mostly in the Vichada Department. Its current leadership is unclear. The front is, as of 2011, led by El Cadete.[48]

Alias Name Note
"Jacinto", "El Danto" Killed in 2003.
"El Topo" Octavio Ruiz Earlier he had belonged to the 16th Front. Killed on August 10, 2010.[49]

40th Front

Also known as the Jacobo Arenas Front, it is composed of up to 350 people. It operates mostly in the Meta Department. Its current leadership is unclear after a government offensive captured its two highest ranking militants.

Alias Name Note
"El Flaco Iván" Rodrigo Alberto Salazar Montoya Captured in 2005.
Chucho Gilberto de Jesús Jaramillo Arias Captured in 2005.
Tocayo, El Negro Demobilized in April 2010. (Son of John Freddy Balcázar alias “El Negro Antonio”)
Santiago Handed himself over to the Army in July 2010.[50]
Caballo Demobilized on October 26, 2010.[51][52]

42nd Front

Also known as the Combatientes de Cundinamarca Front, it is composed of up to 110 people. It operates mostly in the Cundinamarca Department.

Alias Name Note
Javier Jota Front leader since February 2012. Killed on March 2012.[40]
Eduardo Robayo Wilson Correa Trujillo Front leader since May 2011. Killed in February 2012.[53]
Mono Jojoy Victor Rojas Suarez Front leader, killed in May 2011.[54]
"El Campesino" José Nerup Reyes Peña Killed in 2007.
"Serrucho" Pedro León García Captured in 2003.

43rd Front

It is composed of up to 300 people and operates mostly in the Meta Department.

Alias Name Note
"John 40" Gener García Molina Believe to be wounded after police attack in September 2008 [55]
Efrén Luis Eduardo López Méndez

44th Front

Also known as the Antonio Ricaurte Front, it is composed of up to 350 people. It operates mostly in the Meta Department.

Alias Name Note
Miguel Luis Fernando Bustos
Albeiro Córdoba Élmer Mata Caviedes Killed in 2005.
"Ciro Pereza", "Ciro Cañón" Handed himself to the Army on October 28, 2010.[43]
Demaris Handed herself to the Army on October 28, 2010.[43]
Bricelda Handed herself to the Army on October 28, 2010.[43]
"Ricardo Pompis" Handed himself to the Army on October 28, 2010.[43]
Omar Handed himself to the Army on October 28, 2010.[43]
Angie Killed in combat on October 28, 2010.[43]

45th Front

Also known as the Atanasio Girardot Front, it is composed of up to 150 people. It operates mostly in the Norte de Santander Department and Boyacá Department.

Alias Name Note
Rafael Gutierrez Luis Eduardo Marín
"Che" Jesús María Piedrahita Killed in 2005.

51st Front

Also known as the Jaime Pardo Leal Front, it is composed of up to 80 people. It operates mostly in the Cundinamarca Department as of 2011.[56]

Alias Name Note
"R1" Second in command KIA in August 15, 2011.[57]
"Hermides", "El Quemado" José Parménides Castro Captured in 2002.
Pedro Orjuela Explosive expert. Captured in May 5, 2011.[58]
"Indio" or "César" Neil Russel González Garay Second commander of this front. He was under direct orders of alias "Mono Jojoy". Captured in September, 2011.[59][60][61]

52nd Front

Also known as the Juan de la Cruz Front, it is composed of up to 120 people. It operates mostly in the Cundinamarca Department and the Boyacá Department. It may have been dismantled [38]

Alias Name Note
"El Zarco" Manuel Sierra Also commands 53rd Front.
Arcesio Angarilla Killed in 2004.

53rd Front

Also known as the Jose A. Anzoategui Front, it is composed of up to 120 people. It operates mostly in the Meta Department and the Cundinamarca Department. Six members of the front are captured on March 25, 2012.[62]

Alias Name Note
"El Zarco" Manuel Sierra Also commands 52nd Front.
"Romaña" Henry Castellanos Garzón Commander of several FARC Fronts.
Eliécer Bertulfo García Captured in 2005.
Dionilde Handed herself to the Army on October 28, 2010.[43]

54th Front

Also known as the Angel Bonilla, it is composed of up to 50 militants. As of 2012 it operates mainly in the Meta Department.[63]

Alias Name Note
Flaminio Gómez Jesús Vargas Gamboa Killed in 2002.
Silverio Salvador Vargas León Killed in 2003.

55th Front

Also known as the Teófilo Forero Front, it is believed to be composed of around 150 militants[64] although its urban numbers could be much greater. It operates mostly in the Cundinamarca Department and is considered the FARC's base in Bogotá. It is considered responsible for much of the terrorist activity that occurs in and around the capital.

Alias Name Note
Nelson Robles Julio Enrique Rincón Rico
Rubén Armando Barbosa Tovar
Patricia Demobilized in April 2010.
Conejo Demobilized in April 2010.
El Flaco Demobilized in April 2010.
Chaño Demobilized in April 2010.
Luz Dary Maryuri Sáenz Killed in April 2010.
“Efren” or “Patequeso” Marco Elvis Patiño second-in-command, captured on July 2012.[65]

56th Front

It is composed by up to 80 people and operates mostly in the Casanare Department and the Boyacá Department. Its current leadership is unclear.

Alias Name Note
Jerónimo Aljure Jorge Eliécer Jiménez Martínez Captured in 2004.

62nd Front

Also known as the Yarí Front. Operates in the Meta Department. Three guerrillas from this front were killed in action in July 2011.[66] On February 14, 2012, alias Dumar, his lover alias Gisella and two other rebels were killed by the army. Four other have been captured.[67]

Alias Name Note
Victor Tirado Rigoberto Lozano First commander.[68]
Dumar Killed on February 14, 2012.[69]
Yira Devora Meza Velazco She was third commander and chief of finance of this front. Killed in September 2011.[70][71]

Antonio Nariño Front

It is composed by up to 50 individuals and seeks to operate in Bogotá.

Alias Name Note
Negro Antonio Bernardo Mosquera Machado Arrested in 2009.
Chucho Jose Marvel Zamora Arrested in 2008.
La Mona Luz Delia Hincapié Gaviria Arrested on October 20, 2010, while she was overseeing a car bomb preparation.[72]

Urías Rondón Front

Alias Name Note
"Elver Patón" Néstor Raúl González Restrepo Fifth head of the Urías Rondón Front and its chief financial officer. Arrested in September 24, 2011.[73][74]
Nayibe Edna Margarita Lozada Forero Part of the security ring of alias "Elver Patón". Arrested in September 24, 2011.[73][74]
Sebastián Castaño Mojica Part of the security ring of alias "Elver Patón". Arrested in September 24, 2011.[73][74]

Columns and Companies

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

See also

Notes

  1. "ezcapの使い方|ezcapの使い方をわかりやすく解説". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  2. http://www.insightcrime.org/insight-latest-news/item/763-farcs-doctor-asserts-command-in-eastern-colombia
  3. US Department of State. "Noe Suarez Rojas" Available online. Accessed January 23, 2008.
  4. US Department of State. "Victor Julio Suarez Rojas" Available online. Accessed January 23, 2008.
  5. US Department of State. "Luis Antonio Lozada" Available online. Accessed January 24, 2008.
  6. El Tiempo. "Ejército atacó campamento de Carlos Antonio Lozada" Available online. Accessed January 24, 2008.
  7. US Department of State. "Henry Castellanos Garzon" Available online. Accessed January 24, 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 "Policía Nacional de Colombia.". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  9. "Secretos sobre estado actual de 'Jojoy' y las Farc se hallaron en cuevas del Meta donde se escondía". eltiempo.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  10. "Dutch guerrilla leading FARC forces: Activist". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  11. Alex Emery (3 September 2011). "Colombian Rebels Planned to Extort Microsoft, Nike, Santos Says". Bloomberg. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  12. "YouTube". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  13. http://insightcrime.org/insight-latest-news/item/556-drug-trafficking-gang-reportedly-sharing-manpower-with-farc
  14. 1 2 El Espectador. "La nueva estrategia de ‘Cano’" Available Online. Accessed September 28, 2008.
  15. Las voces del secuestro. "El poder del guerrillero que entregó al niño Emmanuel" Available online. Accessed January 24, 2008.
  16. BBC News. "How the Colombian hostages were freed" Available online
  17. El Tiempo. "Capturada alias 'Doris Adriana', del primer frente de las Farc, anunció el comandante del Ejército" Available online. Accessed February 2, 2008.
  18. "Police capture ‘key FARC member’ in Bogota". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  19. "‘FARC’ commander captured in Bogota". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  20. 1 2 "Army captures FARC boss suspected of deadly ambush". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  21. "Golpe a Farc en Arauca, primer resultado del nuevo plan de las FF. MM.". eltiempo.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  22. Colombia Support. "Colombian Rebels Confess To Killing 3 Americans" Available online. Accessed January 24, 2008.
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  33. El Tiempo. "'Raúl Reyes' admitió que el 'Negro Acacio', jefe del frente 16 de las Farc, está muerto" Available online. Accessed January 24, 2008.
  34. "Muere en combate segundo cabecilla de la cuadrilla 16 de las Farc" Available online. Accessed January 2, 2011.
  35. El Mundo. "Detienen en Colombia a 'Hugo', el 'zar del secuestro' en las FARC" Available online. Accessed January 24, 2008.
  36. 1 2 "Vanguardia Valledupar - Gracias por todo". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  37. "Archivo Digital: Noticias Principales de Colombia y el Mundo en Digital e Impreso - Noticias - ELTIEMPO.COM". eltiempo.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  38. 1 2 3 http://www.cambio.com.co/portadacambio/752/ARTICULO-PRINTER_FRIENDLY-PRINTER_FRIENDLY_CAMBIO-3836911.html
  39. Comando General Fuerzas Militares de Colombia. "Muere en combate autor material del secuestro del ex gobernador del Meta Alan Jara" Available online. Accessed January 24, 2008.
  40. 1 2 3 "'FARC has suffered 2 historic blows': Santos - Colombia News - Colombia Reports". Colombia News - Colombia Reports. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  41. "Noticias, Deportes y Análisis de Colombia - Caracol Radio". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  42. (Spanish) El Tiempo: CTI capturó al médico del secretariado de las Farc
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Micrositios Content Manager. "Contacto - Ejercito Nacional de Colombia". Ejrcito Nacional de Colombia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  44. http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/judicial/dos-guerrileros-muertos-operaciones-militares-arauca-y-articulo-487781
  45. http://m.eltiempo.com/justicia/cae-carcelero-de-los-tres-estadounidenses-secuestrados-por-las-farc/8901060/1/home
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  52. http://elnuevosiglo.com.co/nacion/orden-publico/19801-escapo-de-las-farc-para-evitar-que-su-hijo-fuera-reclutado.html
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  55. http://colombiareports.com/2008/09/07/newly-found-computers-more-valuable-those-of-reyes/
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  58. "Capturado explosivista del frente 51 de las Farc". Retrieved 16 December 2014.
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  73. 1 2 3 http://www.cgfm.mil.co/CGFMPortal/faces/index.jsp?id=9836
  74. 1 2 3 http://www.lanacion.com.co/2011/09/27/capturado-jefe-de-finanzas-del-bloque-oriental-de-las-farc/
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  76. http://colombiareports.com/2008/09/03/farc-leader-killed-in-bombing-says-army/
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