An alleged FARC leader, trained in Russia and Cuba, who was currently in charge of child recruitment and explosives training, has been killed in the west-central Colombian department of Tolima, El Espectador reported Monday.
Alias “Arnulfo” was apparently a member of the FARC’s Central Bloc in the “Alfredo Gonzalez” squadron and had at one point been part of FARC commander “Alfonso Cano”‘s security team.
Arnulfo had been in the FARC for over 16 years, receiving military and tactical training in Russia and Cuba, rising from the rank and file to become the fourth leader of this particular FARC front and leading child recruitment and explosives training.
He was accused of shooting at least 19 people in 2009 alone, after accusing the civilians of collaborating with the army.
Arnulfo’s death is considered to contribute to a damaging week for the FARC’s Central Bloc, given that in less than a week they also lost commanders alias “El Abuelo” and “Ruben.”
The most recent army operation came at a cost, however, as professional soldier Jesus Eduardo Camelo lost his life. He was said by officials to have been a crucial part of the planning and execution of the operation.