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Colombian Rebels Confirm Leader's Death

Marulanda, 78, died of a heart attack 'in arms of his companion'

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted May 25, 2008 6:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – A top Colombian rebel confirmed the death of FARC chief Manuel Marulanda in a TV interview today. Marulanda died of a heart attack 2 months ago, at age 78, "in the arms of his companion," he said. With "Sureshot" gone, new rebel leader Alfonso Cano may struggle to keep the Marxist group going, the AP reports.

The rebels have been on a bad streak: A female leader has defected, Colombian troops recently killed 2 of the group's ruling Secretariat, and Cano is said to be cornered in the southwest jungle. The group has also shrunk from 15,000 to 9,000 members, and is known more for drug-smuggling than for its Marxist, anti-government roots.

Timoleon Jimenez, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) reads a statement as he announces the death of FARC leader Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda. (Associated Press)

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe holds up a statement confirming the dead of Manuel Marulanda. (Associated Press)

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe delivers a speech during a town hall meeting in Florida, Colombia, Saturday, May 24, 2008. (Associated Press)

Manuel Marulanda, the leader and top founder of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, listens to questions in this file photo. (Associated Press)

Manuel Marulanda gestures as he arrives in Los Pozos, southern Colombia, in this file photo. (Associated Press)

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Colombian Rebels Confirm Leader's Death

Marulanda, 78, died of a heart attack 'in arms of his companion'

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Colombian Rebels Confirm Leader's Death

Marulanda, 78, died of a heart attack 'in arms of his companion'

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Colombia • obituary • heart attack • drug trade • FARC • Alvaro Uribe • Manuel Marulanda • Communists • rebel fighters

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Bookish Past Might Not Help Rebel Leader

Colombia's new reality will put dogmatic FARC head Cano to test

Sun Setting on FARC Rebellion

Key link to past now dead, and Colombia's efforts at last paying off against rebels

Chavez Freezes Out Colombia

Puts brakes on bilateral ties over talks with rebels

Red Cross Cries Foul Over Colombia Deception

Objects to symbol use in hostage rescue

Disorganized Rebels Duped By Hostage Rescuers

'Movie-plot' op exploited reb chaos

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Newser By Users

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