Colombia's armed forces commander has revealed that intelligence and statements from former FARC guerrillas suggest that rebel commander alias "Fabian Ramirez," presumed dead in a bombing raid, is still alive.
Jose Benito Cabrera, known as "Fabian Ramirez," was a top commander in the FARC and the leader of its Southern Bloc.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced in November 2010 that Cabrera had "apparently" died following a Air Force bombing operation at a FARC camp in the southern Caqueta department, although no body was recovered.
Santos explained that the judgement was based on the discovery of Cabrera’s backpack, diary, and a number of other personal items.
However, Commander Edgar Cely on Wednesday confirmed that there is now a strong possibility that Cabrera may not have died in the attack. Cely explained that evidence gathered from interviews with the four demobilized FARC members suggested that Cabrera was wounded in the attack, but that he is “apparently alive.” InSight Crime has also heard from rebel sources that while Cabrera was wounded in the bombardment he survived and was moved to Ecuador to recover.
The U.S. State Department, which holds Cabrera responsible for the production over 1,000 tons of cocaine, had previously offered a reward of $2.5 for his capture.
SUBSCRIBE