Ecuador is investigating whether at least two leaders of the FARC are hiding on Ecuadorean soil close to the border with Colombia.
Ecuadorian Defense Minister Javier Ponce said to the television channel Gama that there are is no evidence of the guerrillas' presence, but "I can tell you that there is one or two guerrillas who have or had ties to border areas".
"It is not very likely that there are other camps like the Angostura" which was bombed by Colombian military in March 2008, Ponce added. "But I have to admit that we have found small camps. In border areas there is no public service, little alternative work and they are therefore easy prey for guerrillas."
Newspaper El Tiempo recently reported that only three members of the FARC's secretariat, the highest body within the guerrillas' command structure, are inside Colombia. Twelve other high guerrilla commanders are hiding in Ecuador, Venezuela and Cuba.
