Tall & Rich

Things have gone downhill for FARC since Colombia’s cross-border attack on leader Raul Reyes’ camp in Ecuadaor several weeks ago and lately they’ve suffered their worst blow. Legendary FARC narco-terrorist leader Manuel Marulanda is reportedly dead according to the Wall Street Journal;

The military said that Mr. Marulanda, the top commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, died in late March, apparently of a heart attack. Mr. Marulanda helped found the rebel group four decades ago and has been fighting ever since to overthrow the government.

“Through various means of military intelligence, we have learned that Pedro Antonio Marín, alias ‘Manuel Marulanda’ or ‘Tirofijo’ (Sureshot), the chief of the FARC, is dead,” said Admiral David Moreno, the Chief of Staff of the Colombian armed forces, at a Bogota press conference, reading from a prepared statement.

President Alvaro Uribe said in a speech that the “sources of information (on the death) are serious.” But he added the Spanish word “esperemos” — a word that can be translated as either “we hope” or “let’s wait.” Either way, it suggests the government isn’t completely sure that Mr. Marulanda is, in fact, dead. Over the years, reports of his death have turned out to be premature.