Colombia Farc chief 'may be dead'

[frigidmagi]

BBC

The Colombian government is investigating a report that the leader of the Farc rebel group is dead, the defence minister has said.

Juan Manuel Santos told Semana magazine that Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda may have died on 26 March, citing "a source who has never failed us".

The top rebel commander's death has been rumoured and later disproved several times in the past.

Correspondents say if confirmed the death would be a big blow to the Farc.

Marulanda, whose real name is Pedro Antonio Marin, has led the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, since its foundation in 1964.

Marulanda is thought to be 78 years old and there have been persistent rumours of ill health, including evidence that suggested he had prostate cancer.

Mr Manual Santos said reports from guerrillas suggested Marulanda died of a heart attack, although he also told the magazine that three bombing raids had targeted the rebel chief on the date in question.

The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Bogota says the 44-year-old rebel movement is currently suffering its worst period yet, with two top commanders dead and others surrendered.

May the bad times of FARC continue.