The Colombian Armed Forces have created three new task forces aimed at targeting the core of the FARC, reports Caracol Radio.
A main aim of the task forces — who will work with the army, the air force and the navy — will be to target the guerrilla group’s middle men, who are crucial to the financing of the rebel army. Another objective is to push for demobilization.
The task forces will focus on the departments of Cauca, Nariño, Norte de Santander and Arauca, where the FARC’s presence is strongest.
Their creation marks a first step in the implementation of a new strategy around territory control, requested by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in August to improve the armed forces’ fight against illegal groups.
The four task forces will report directly to Alejandro Navas, commander general of the armed forces, who has promoted the integratation of the new groups into the existing military forces.