FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
( AS OF OCTOBER 2022 )
OVERVIEW
![FARC-EP](../img/groups/farc_flag2.jpg)
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People’s Army (FARC-EP) is one of Colombia’s most powerful violent dissident groups. Many members of the new FARC-EP rejected the peace agreement signed in 2016 between the Colombian Government and the former FARC, which had waged decades of attacks in Colombia since its founding in 1964. The FARC-EP seeks to control critical areas of Colombia, particularly those associated with drug trafficking. Since at least 2019, the group has been responsible for most of the FARC dissident (FARC-D) attacks in Colombia. The FARC-EP has engaged in numerous armed confrontations with Colombian authorities, as well as the Segunda Marquetalia—a rival FARC-D faction.
OPERATING AREAS
Operates mainly in southern and northeastern Colombia; some members reside in Venezuela
MEMBERS
Approximately 2,000 fighters
TACTICS AND TARGETS
The FARC-EP conducts armed assaults, assassinations, extortion operations, and hostage-takings. The group focuses most of its attacks on Colombian Government and military targets but also attacks critical infrastructure, Colombia’s civilian population, and—occasionally—US military personnel in the country. The FARC-EP equips its members with small arms, machineguns, mines, and IEDs.
FOREIGN TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated the FARC-EP as a foreign terrorist organization in November 2021. That same month, the State Department also named Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez, a.k.a. Ivan Mordisco; now-deceased Miguel Santanilla Botache, a.k.a. Gentil Duarte; and Euclides Espana Caicedo, a.k.a. Jhon Fredey Henao Munoz, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
KEY LEADERS
![Nestor Fernandez](../img/groups/leader_farc_nestor_fernandez.jpg)
Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez
a.k.a. Ivan Mordisco
Overall leader
![Alexander Mendoza](../img/groups/leader_farc_alexander_mendoza.jpg)
Alexander Diaz Mendoza
a.k.a. Calarca
Leads the 40th Front; allegedly helps guide the FARC-EP’s strategy to consolidate territory and form an “urban command” for terrorist operations
![Javier Veloza](../img/groups/leader_farc_javier_veloza.jpg)
Javier Alonso Veloza
a.k.a. Jhon Mechas
Leads the 33rd Front; responsible for two high-profile attacks in Colombia in 2021, one targeting US military forces and another targeting a helicopter carrying the Colombian President
![Miguel Botache](../img/groups/leader_farc_miguel_botache.jpg)
Miguel Santanilla Botache [DECEASED]
a.k.a. Gentil Duarte
Former deputy to Mordisco
![Euclides Espana Caicedo](../img/groups/no_photo.jpg)
Euclides Espana Caicedo [DECEASED]
a.k.a. Jhonier
Third in command; leads multiple FARC-EP units
NOTABLE ATTACKS
25 June 2021
Cucuta, Colombia
FARC-EP insurgents shoot at a helicopter carrying the Colombian President and two cabinet ministers, hitting the aircraft multiple times but inflicting no casualties.
15 June 2021
Cucuta, Colombia
FARC-EP insurgents conduct a VBIED attack against a Colombian Army base, wounding 44 Colombians and two US military advisers.