The Middle Magdalena Bloc of the FARC-EP (Spanish: Magdalena Medio Front) is a FARC-EP bloc, notable for its involvement in the conflict with the AUC until the latter's demobilization in 2004. Since then, it has become one of the Colombian army's biggest worries, as citizens of these areas are claiming that the FARC are once again gaining control over the territory.

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] 4th Front

It is composed by up to 100 combatants and operates mostly in the Antioquia Department (Municipalities of Zaragoza, Segovia, Remedios, Amalfi, Vegachí, Yalí, Yondó and Maceo). Its current leadership has not been identified since its main leader was killed outside of combat in 2006.

[edit] 11th Front

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 20th Front

This front is composed by up to 60 combatants and operates in the Cesar, Santander, and Norte de Santander Departments. Its current leadership is unclear.

• Includes the 29 de Mayo Company, which was also under the leadership of Ernesto 45.

[edit] 23rd Front

Also known as the Policarpa Salavarrieta Front, it is composed by up to 60 combatants and operates mostly in the Santander Department and Boyacá Department. Its leader, who also commanded the 11th front, was killed in combat in 2006.

[edit] 24th Front

It is composed by up to 80 combatants and operates mostly in the Santander Department and the Bolívar Department. Its current leader is not known.

[edit] 33rd Front

Also known as the Mariscal Sucre Front, it is composed by up to 70 combatants and operates mostly in the Norte de Santander Department.

[edit] 46th Front

It is composed by up to 90 combatants and operates mostly in the Santander Department. Its current leader is not known.

[edit] South Unit

Referred to in Spanish as Unidad Sur, it operates in the Santander Department and Boyacá Department. Its current leader is unknown.

[edit] Columns and Companies

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

• Mobile Company Ricardo Franco: Operates in the Santander and Antioquia Departments.
• Company Miguel Francisco Estrada: Operates in the Santander Department.
• Company Luis Alberto Berrío Vélez: Operates in the Santander Department.
• Company Raúl Edo Mahecha: Operates in the Santander Department.
• Company Míller Chacón: Operates in the Santander Department.
• Company 29 de Mayo: Operates in the Santander and Norte de Santander departments.
• Pamplona Ocana García Rovira Unit: Operates in the Santander Department.

[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