The death in combat of FARC commander “Mono Jojoy” is the latest in a series of military successes against the guerrilla organization.
The following is a timeline of the biggest blows the Colombian state has recently struck against the FARC.
March 1, 2008:
“Raul Reyes,” number-two leader of the FARC, dies in a bombing raid on his camp in Ecuador, close to the Colombian border. A total of 25 people were killed in the attack.
March 3, 2008:
“Ivan Rios,” member of the FARC Secretariat central command, is assassinated by his personal bodyguard who wants to collect the $2.6 million offered as a reward by the Colombian government.
March 26, 2008:
“Manuel Marulanda,” alias “Tirofijo,” the founder of the FARC, dies of natural causes.
July 2, 2008:
The army rescues former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, the most high-profile FARC hostage, in Operation Checkmate. Three Americans and eleven soldiers and police are also freed.
June 14, 2010:
The army rescues four members of the armed forces held captive by FARC guerrillas.
September 22, 2010:
“Jorge Briceño,” alias “Mono Jojoy,” second-in-command and military leader of the FARC, dies in a bombing raid along with more than 20 other guerrillas.