The Central Bloc of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia operates strategically in the Andes Mountains around the middle of Colombia. The group is seen as the largest threat to Bogotá and its economy, as it operates in areas surrounding the capital. However, strong military action has forced the bloc to hide in remote parts of the mountains, away from many highways and cities. In an indictment in April 2006, the Minister of Defense announced over $5.5 million dollars in rewards for the Central Bloc's highest ranking figures.

The specific divisions of the group are arguable. Because of the current conflict existing in the country, much of the information recovered is conflicting and should not be taken as absolutely reliable. Some of the believed divisions or 'fronts', as they are commonly called, are shown below. It is worth noting that 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-EP Chain of Command.

[edit] Commanders

[edit] 17th Front

Also known as the Angelino Godoy Front, it is composed by up to 120 militants. It operates mostly in the Huila Department. Its current leadership has not been clarified.

[edit] 21st Front

Also known as La Gaitana Front, it is composed by up to 120 militants. It operates mostly in the Tolima Department and the Quindío Department and is believed to be in charge of Alfonso Cano's security.

[edit] 25th Front

Also known as the Armando Ríos Front, it is composed by up to 120 militants. It operates mostly in the Tolima Department and the Cundinamarca Department. According to Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos, more than 50 fighters have deserted the FARC's 25th Front, 25 have been captured and 15 were killed in combat, adding that the insurgent unit "is almost dismantled." ^[1]

[edit] 50th Front

Also known as Cacique Calarca Front, it is composed by up to 80 militants. It operates mostly in the Quindío Department and the Risaralda Department.

[edit] 66th Front

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

[edit] Columns and Companies

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

• Column Daniel Aldana: This column is widely known in the Tolima Department, where most of its operations take place. Its financial director, known as "El Indio" was captured in 2005. In recent and unconfirmed developments in 2006, its last known leader Gustavo González López, alias "Rambo", was killed by government troops.
• Column Héroes de Marquetalia: This column also operates in the Tolima Department and is led by a female known as "Mayerly Rendón".
• Column Jacobo Prías Alape: This column also operates in the Tolima Department and is led by two people known as "Calderón" or "Chicharrón" and "Tribilín".
• Company Tulio Varón (Dismantled): Also known as the Front Tulio Varón, it operates in the Tolima Department. Its most recent leader, Eduardo Fajardo, alias "Walter", was killed in March 2007^[2]. 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^[3].

[edit] See also

v • d • e Colombian Armed Conflict and Solution
Participants in Colombian armed conflict			Timeline	Key aspects
			• Separation of Panama from Colombia • Banana Massacre (1928) • La Violencia (1948-1958) • Marquetalia Republic • The National Front • Dominican embassy (1980) • Palace of Justice (1985) • Patriotic Union Party extermination • Humanitarian exchange • Mapiripán Massacre (1997) • Peace process (1999-2002) • Bojayá massacre (2002) • Valle del Cauca Deputies hostage crisis (2002-Present) • El Nogal Club bombing (2003) • Parapolitics scandal (2006–7) • Operation Emmanuel • Andean diplomatic crisis (2008) • Operation Jaque	Lawsuits  • Sinaltrainal v. Coca-Cola (2001) • Rodriquez v. Drummond (2003) • Doe v. Chiquita (2007)  Kidnappings  • Kidnappings in Colombia • List of political hostages held by FARC  Illegal drug trade  • Illegal drug trade in Colombia • War on Drugs • Narcoterrorism  Government aspects  • Democratic security • Plan Colombia • Plan Patriota • U.S.-Colombia relations • Human rights in Colombia • Politics of Colombia
Guerrillas	Government of Colombia	Paramilitaries
• ELN • FARC-EP • EPL Former guerrillas • M19 • MOEC • CGSB • ERP • Ricardo Franco Front Linked to • PCCC • Foro de São Paulo • Cuban revolutionaries • Provisional IRA • ANNCOL • Fighters + Lovers • Colombian drug cartels • Some politicians	Military of Colombia: National Army Air Force Navy Colombian Naval Infantry National Police Other: DAS intelligence Attorney General units Former government program • CONVIVIR Linked to • DynCorp International • United Nations • United States • European Union	• Águilas Negras Former paramilitaries • AUC • AAA Linked to • Spearhead Ltd • Colombian drug cartels • CONVIVIR • Some Colombian military personnel • Some politicians
	Colombian armed conflict at Wiktionary  Colombian armed conflict at Wikibooks      Colombian armed conflict at Wikiquote  Colombian armed conflict at Wikisource       Colombian armed conflict at Commons  Colombian armed conflict at Wikinews

[edit] Notes