FARC, otherwise known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia, has suffered its biggest setback in....well, perhaps in the history of the terrorist organization as Columbian army forces killed Jorge Briceno (also known as Mono Jojoy), the #2 leader of FARC and top military strategist for the organization.
From the article at The Telegraph:
The death of Jorge Briceno is a huge setback for Farc, which has been reeling from a decade of pressure by the US-backed military.
Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos said the attack is "the most crushing blow against the Farc in its entire history" - more important than the March 2008 bombing raid across the border with Ecuador that killed Farc foreign minister Raul Reyes or the bloodless rescue that July that freed former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three US contractors and 11 other hostages without firing a shot.
Mr Santos told reporters that at least 20 rebels were killed, including other senior insurgents, in operations that began Monday night with bombing raids involving at least 30 warplanes and 27 helicopters and ended with ground combat on Wednesday.
Air force chief Gen. Julio Gonzalez told the AP that Super Toucan and other warplanes dropped more than 50 bombs.
Wow. Just look at the fire power the Columbians used in this operation! Good grief, America hasn't dropped 50 bombs in the past six MONTHS in Afghanistan. I guess this is what happens when you REALLY wanna kill the enemy, huh?
But this really is a key development and should really help secure the government of Columbia which is more or less on an island surrounded by socialistic asswipes in South America and Central America - this is the kind of news that will help keep Hugo Chavez from meddling in Columbia, as well.
Top Farc rebel leader Mono Jojoy killed by Colombian army
The death of Jorge Briceno is a huge setback for Farc, which has been reeling from a decade of pressure by the US-backed military.
Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos said the attack is "the most crushing blow against the Farc in its entire history" - more important than the March 2008 bombing raid across the border with Ecuador that killed Farc foreign minister Raul Reyes or the bloodless rescue that July that freed former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three US contractors and 11 other hostages without firing a shot.
Mr Santos told The Associated Press what Briceno's death meant to Colombians: "It is as if they told New Yorkers that Osama bin Laden had fallen."
The 57-year-old rebel, who was known as Mono Jojoy, joined the Farc as an illiterate teenager and spent the rest of his life in the jungle, becoming a feared and charismatic commander of a force that a decade ago controlled nearly half of Colombia. Analysts prediced his loss could lead many rebels to give up the fight and might nudge the Farc to seek renewed talks.
Mr Santos told reporters that at least 20 rebels were killed, including other senior insurgents, in operations that began Monday night with bombing raids involving at least 30 warplanes and 27 helicopters and ended with ground combat on Wednesday.
Air force chief Gen. Julio Gonzalez told the AP that Super Toucan and other warplanes dropped more than 50 bombs.
But the key to the operation's success was intelligence, including "the collaboration of members of the Farc itself," said Defence Minister Rodrigo Rivera. "The Farc is rotting inside."
He did not offer specifics, though other officials told the AP they were discussing reward payments to collaborators. The US State Department had offered a $5 million reward for Briceno. The biggest reward known to have been paid for fingering a Farc commander was $2.5 million to an unknown informant who led authorities to Reyes' camp.
