Colombia's largest rebel group today confirmed the death of its top leader, Manuel Marulanda, the latest blow to a Marxist-inspired insurgency that has been weakened by the demise of senior commanders and attacks by government troops. The 77-year-old leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, died of a heart attack on March 26, one of his lieutenants, Timoleon Jimenez, said in a video sent to Venezuelan television station Telesur. A guerrilla known by his alias Alfonso Cano was named Marulanda's successor, said Jimenez, better known as Timocheko.
President Alvaro Uribe, yesterday said he hopes FARC's tribulations would prompt members to lay down their arms and free hostages, who include three American defense contractors. Marulanda's death was first revealed yesterday by Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos.