- One of the wealthiest units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC), the 48th Front, reportedly lost one of their alleged commanders Tuesday during a firefight with the army, reports Caracol radio. Based on early reports, it is unclear whether the alleged fallen commander, alias ‘Oliver Solarte,’ is the same Oliver Solarte who is considered a major link between the FARC and the Mexican cartels. The 48th Front attacked a military base in Puerto Asis, Putumayo, over the weekend, firing homemade mortar bombs at the base.
- The Colombian government has authorized the extradition of one of the original leaders of the Cali Cartel to the U.S. Before he turned himself in to authorities in 1995, Phanor Arizabaleta Arzayus worked alongside the Rodríguez-Orejuela brothers, infamous leaders of the Cali Cartel who are currently serving terms in U.S. prisons. Arizabaleta was freed last year after serving part of a 28-year sentence, but was arrested again in September. Age 72, he is being charged with trafficking cocaine shipments to the U.S from Colombia via Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala, Semana reports.
- Infobae reports that 2.500 minors have been murdered in Guatemala between 2005 and 2010, citing a study by a local children’s advocacy group, the News Agency in Favor of Children and Adolescent (Agencia de Noticias a Favor de la Niñez y la Adolescencia – La Nana). According to Minister of Government Carlos Menocal, the ‘Mara Salvatruchas’ are allegedly responsible for 40 percent of the crimes affecting Guatemalan minors. So far this year 106 minors have died in violent homicides, says the advocacy group.
FARC Commander Killed, Cali Cartel Leader Extradited
