The Colombian government paid an Ecuadorean citizen to reveal the location of late FARC leader ‘Raul Reyes’, according to Ecuadorean newspaper El Universo.
The Ecuadorean, known for security reasons as J.C.R.F or alias ‘Pirata’, was an ex-employee of the Social Welfare Ministry and an ex-member of the guerrilla group Alvaro Vive Carajo, El Universo alleges. This informant allegedly charged the Colombian government around US$2.5 million for the information on ‘Raul Reyes’ location.
El Universo claims that ‘Pirata’ was working with Ecuadorean intelligence undercover, that he infiltrated the FARC and that ‘Raul Reyes’ knew him as ‘Carlos’. The newspaper also claims the Colombian police knew of ‘Pirata’ and his role as a double agent.
Guerrilla leader ‘Raul Reyes’ was killed when the Colombian military bombarded a FARC camp on Ecuadorean soil on March 1, 2008. It is commonly believed that Reyes’ location was revealed after his satellite phone was tracked.
‘Pirata’ allegedly fled Ecuador to Bogota on March 3, 2008, where he stayed several weeks before flying to a third country, along with the reward offered by the Colombian government.
The Colombian government announced in November 2008 that it had paid around US$2.5 million to the informant who supplied the FARC camp’s location.
Diplomatic relations between Bogota and Caracas were fractured following Colombia’s military incursion, which resulted in the death of 24 others, including an Ecuadorean.
An Ecuadorean court had requested the extradition of former Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos in connection with the bombing raid. The request has since officially been withdrawn.