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Ex-FARC Mafia

Las disidencias de las FARC o ex-Farc Mafia son grupos de excombatientes de la antigua guerrilla que se opusieron o desencantaron del proceso de paz con el gobierno colombiano desde 2016 y se han ido saliendo para regresar a la ilegalidad.

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Latest News

COLOMBIA / 19 MAY 2023

The ELN's talks with the government are not going smoothly. Continuing attacks and disagreements about ceasefires have kept Colombia's Total…

COLOMBIA / 9 MAR 2023

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro will play a vital role in the success of Colombia's peace talks with the ELN. Is…

COCA / 1 MAR 2023

Social leaders in Putumayo, Colombia, hope coca crop substitution can bring opportunities to communities. But supporting it may mean death.

ELN / 24 FEB 2023

A new report has highlighted that organized crime is profiting from the exploitation of millions of migrants from Venezuela.

COCAINE / 17 FEB 2023

Wilder Emilio Sánchez Farfán, alias “Gato Farfán” helped develop Ecuador's credentials as a drug trafficking hub.

ELN / 17 FEB 2023

Venezuela has acted against illegal miners. But with close ties between the state and these mining groups, are efforts genuine?…

Key Actors

Ricardo Abel Ayala Orrego, alias 'Cabuyo'

COLOMBIA / APRIL 23, 2021

Ricardo Abel Ayala Ortega, alias "Cabuyo," is currently one of Colombia's highest value military targets and operates mainly in the northwestern department of Antioquia.

José Manuel Sierra Sabogal, alias 'Zarco Aldinever'

COLOMBIA / FEBRUARY 2, 2020

José Manuel Sierra Sabogal, alias "Zarco Aldinever," served with the 51st, 52nd, and 26th fronts, in the departments of Meta, Cundinamarca and Boyacá and became one of the top commanders…

José Vicente Lesmes, alias 'Walter Mendoza'

COLOMBIA / JULY 5, 2022

José Vicente Lesmes, alias "Walter Mendoza," was a historic FARC commander and currently a top leader within the Second Marquetalia.

Henry Castellanos Garzón, alias 'Romaña'

COLOMBIA / DECEMBER 9, 2021

Henry Castellanos Garzón, alias “Romaña,” was the commander of the 53rd Front of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - FARC) and is currently…

Leider Johani Noscue, alias 'Mayimbú'

COLOMBIA / 8 NOV 2019

Leider Noscue, known by his alias “Mayimbú,” is currently one of the highest-value military targets in the department of Cauca, to the west of Colombia.

Seuxis Pausías Hernández, alias 'Jesús Santrich'

COLOMBIA / MAY 18, 2021

Seuxis Pausías Hernández Solarte, alias “Jesús Santrich,” was a senior former FARC commander who participated in that guerrilla group's demobilization process before taking up arms again in 2019 to form…

Hernán Darío Velásquez Saldarriaga, alias 'El Paisa'

COLOMBIA / DECEMBER 9, 2021

Hernán Darío Velásquez, alias "El Paisa," was a top former leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Walter Patricio Arizala, alias “Guacho”

COLOMBIA / JANUARY 18, 2019

Walter Patricio Arizala, alias “Guacho,” was one of the most wanted criminals in both Colombia and Ecuador, after military forces made him a priority target. Guacho led the dissident members…

Miguel Botache Santillana, alias 'Gentil Duarte'

COLOMBIA / MAY 26, 2022

Miguel Botache Santillana, better known as "Gentil Duarte," was Colombia's most wanted criminal until his death in May 2022.

Géner García Molina, alias 'John 40'

COLOMBIA / JUNE 14, 2021

Géner García Molina, better known as "Jhon 40," is the one who connects the cocaine that leaves southern Colombia with its buyers in Venezuela. If there is one example…

Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias 'Iván Mordisco'

COLOMBIA / APRIL 14, 2023

Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias “Iván Mordisco,” was one of Colombia’s principal former FARC commanders until his death in July 2022.

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All Eyes on Ecuador

2 JUN 2023

Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…

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Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

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InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

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InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.

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