Colombia’s defense minister on Thursday declared the death of feared FARC ringleader “Caliche” as “a blow to the heart of this terrorist organization.”
The army confirmed Wednesday that Leonidas Zambrano Cardozo, alias Caliche was one of the seven FARC members killed in combat with the National army in the southwestern department of Nariño.
MORE: Colombian authorities confirm death of feared FARC ringleader ‘Caliche’
Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon today delivered the government’s reaction to the death of Caliche, who had reportedly been in the FARC for over 30 years and was considered the right hand man to top FARC member Pablo Catatumbo.
“Tonight the inhabitants of Cauca, of the south west of Colombia, can sleep a little easier” said Pinzon, describing Caliche as “one of the historic terrorists of this area.”
The report released by the Ministry of Defense stated that intelligence had been following Caliche’s trail for the past six months and declared that the effort against the FARC will continue its fight against the FARC “to construct peace and prosperity for Colombians.”
Caliche was the commander of the Jacobo Arenas column, one of the FARC’s special forces.
Sources
Fuerza Pública abatió en combate a alias ‘Caliche’, cabecilla de la columna móvil Jacobo Arenas (Ministry of Defense)
