The Colombian rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), confirmed Sunday the death of its top leader Manuel Marulanda.
The Colombian Defense Ministry announced Saturday the 80-year old top rebel leader died from heart attack on March 26, when the government forces mounted three bombing attacks against him.
Speaking on a Venezuelan TV channel, FARC Commander Timoleon Jimenez alias "Timochenko" said the FARC will continue its armed struggle against the government despite the death of its top leader.
"We will continue our fight without stop until we achieve our goal of a new Colombia, big Latin-American homeland and socialism. We swear it before our commander that the fight will continue," Jimenez said.
Meanwhile, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos talked about divisions and frictions inside the rebel group.
The FARC "is divided," Santos said, adding that it is going through its "worst moment" due to the loss of some important commanders in the past several months and the disagreement among members on who should take the position left by Marulanda.
"The bombings against the FARC leaders and against the guerillain general will continue," Santos said during a press conference.
The FARC has been fighting the government forces for the control of the country since it was founded in 1964.
In 2002, when Alvaro Uribe was elected Colombia's president, he took a hardline stance and launched fierce attacks against the rebel group.
With little popular support, the FARC rebels have been driven into remote jungles and mountains, but remain a potent force in some areas, bolstered by funds from drug smuggling.
Source:Xinhua
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