A string of rebel leaders have deserted the FARC, stealing money from secret hiding places and leaving the guerrillas worried about their future, El Tiempo reported Thursday.
“Cachirri,” finance chief of the FARC’s 44th Front, fled recently with almost COP2.2 billion ($1.14 million), according to the newspaper.
The FARC’s Eastern Bloc, renamed the Commander Jorge Briceño Bloc after the death of “Mono Jojoy” has reportedly seen at least three other guerrillas deserting, taking over $950,000 with them.
A guerrilla know as “El Teniente” left with COP600 million ($312,000), “Ciro Cañon” abandoned the FARC and left with COP1.2 billion ($625,000) and “Samuel” left with COP60 million ($31,000).
Commander of the army’s 4th Divison General Jaime Esguerra Santos claimed that several guerrilla groups are facing serious financial problems. “Most people who are fighting wear black sweatshirts because they have no uniforms,” the commander explained.
According to El Tiempo, Mono Jojoy wrote in a January 2009 email that “The economic crisis which we are facing today is a product only of the lack of discipline of the command and lack of commitment.” The commander also referenced financial corruption among the rebels.
Esguerra said that the FARC’s management is deficient and the guerrilla group is losing control, especially in those circles closest to Mono Jojoy as they have yet to find a similar leader.