FARC Marulanda is dead...again? (updated II)

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FARC Marulanda is dead...again?

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UPTADES: On Sunday 25 May 2007, FARC made a public announcement by a video broadcasted by TELESUR confirming the death of Marulanda on 26 March due to heart attack. It also confirmed his post in the FARC Secretariat was filled by Alfonso Cano since his departure. This announcement ends speculation on the veracity of Marulanda´s death and its impact on the FARC Secretariat. Commenting on FARC recognition, Colombian Defence Minister Jose Manuel Santos stated that Marulanda´s death closes a chapter in that organization. Santos also asked FARC members to surrender and enter into civil life.  French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kouchner, welcomed the possibility of a FARC surrender and the liberation of its hostages. However, Kouchner  warned against a violent military attack as it would joepardize the life of hostages.  

Caracas, Venezuela, 24 May 2008. According to Colombian journalist and politician Maria Isabel Ruedas, the leader of the Military Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, Pedro Antonio Marin who was nicknamed Manuel Marulanda died on March 22, 2008. Ruedas  interviewed the Colombian Minister of Defence, José Manuel Santos last Wednesday,  Her article was to appear tomorrow at the Colombian Magazine Semana but is already on line today. Minister Santos allegedly stated Marulanda had died of natural causes. However, this is not the first time Marulanda has been said to be dead. In 1995, he was declared dead by newspaper.  Furthermore, Minister Santos dealings with information has been hailed as masterly propaganda in the past. He is responsible for many misleading accusations including one against the current Home Security Minister of Ecuador; Minister Santos also denied a recent Colombian incursion in Venezuela but was corrected by Caracas. The family of Minister Santos not only owns El Tiempo - a conservative newspaper- and runs Semana Magazine in Colombia. It also has a grasp of the vice presidency in Colombia. Thus, another source confirmation on Marulanda´s death is wanted.

Manuel Maruland who is nearly 80 years old has led a guerrilla fighting for almost 45 years in Colombia. Spanish Newspaper, El Mundo, states Marulanda could have died due to a heart failure.

PS: Later on Saturday, Colombian admiral David Moreno confirmed in a communiqué the death of Marulada but asked FARC for a public recognition of his departure,  However, it is still meaningful that news of Marulanda death are still broadcasted by one single and official source: The Colombian Ministry of Defence. Were Maruland dead by natural causes and not in combat, it is very unlikely there would be a major change in FARC stand or strength. Even though Marulanda is the founder of FARC, the flexible and commanding Secretariat of the guerrilla organization has been designed to meet any vacancy with ease and speed; Farc ideology chief, Alfoso Cano, may have replaced him in FARC political secretariat. Moreover, there would be little change in hostage captivity or the terms of the humanitarian deal asked by FARC.

Some local media in Venezuela like YVKE and official VTV have suggested news on Marulanda death are just another media attack of the Santos family on FARC.  Urugauyan left wing parties also expressed doubts over the news on Marulanda´s death. FARC related news source, ANNCOL said it is up to the Secretariat to confirm the death.  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe offered money to FARC members in exchange for the release of hostages including Ingrid Betancourt.  

Sources: Semana, Globovision, Unionradio, Telesur, PrInside, El Tiempo, El Nuevo Siglo, Vanguardia Liberal, RCN, Caracol, El Mundo.es, YVKE, Le Monde, El Comercio, BBC Mundo,  Aljazeera, AFP, El Nacional, Le Figaro, RFI, ANNCOL, PressTV , NYT