Country Report on Terrorism 2022 - Chapter 5 - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP)

Aka FARC-EP; Central General Staff; Estado Mayor Central (EMC).

Description:  FARC-EP was designated as an FTO on November 30, 2021.  Using the moniker of the former FARC, FARC-EP is responsible for the vast majority of armed attacks attributed to FARC dissident elements since 2019.  The FARC-EP is led by Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez, alias Ivan Mordisco.  In May 2022, former second-in-command Miguel Santanilla Botache, alias Gentil Duarte, was killed in Venezuela, allegedly during a confrontation with drug trafficking groups.

Activities:  FARC-EP has been responsible for the killing of political candidates and former FARC members, and the kidnapping of a political operative.  In 2021, FARC-EP claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack at the mayor’s office in Corinto, Colombia, which injured 43 people, among them several public officials; and for a June attack against a Colombian Army base, which wounded 44 people, including two U.S. military advisers.  Also in June 2021, FARC-EP shot at a helicopter carrying then Colombian President Ivan Duque.  In 2022, FARC-EP conducted an ambush of a Colombian Army patrol in Cauca, killing six soldiers.

Strength:  FARC-EP is estimated to have 2,700 to 3,000 members.

Location/Area of Operation:  Colombia and Venezuela.

Funding and External Aid:  FARC-EP is funded primarily by involvement in illicit activity, including extortion, international drug trade, and illegal mining.

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