Colombian authorities say the head of security for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who was also the right-hand man of the guerrilla group leader, has been killed.
El Negro Eliecerm, known by his nom de guerre ‘Timochenko’ was killed in a clash with army forces confirmed the Colombian Defense Minister, Juan Carlos Pinzon.
“Following a special operation by our military and police forces, this person was shot down along with a woman guerrilla who served as the chief of finances for the faction,” he said.
FARC is Latin America’s oldest guerrilla group and has been fighting the Colombian government since 1964.
The killing of the senior FARC leader comes 2 days after the FARC leadership called for more time to develop peace negotiations with the Colombian government.
See also: ‘FARC says ‘more time’ needed for peace deal’ (19 May 2013)