# Eastern Bloc of the FARC-EP

The Eastern Bloc of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, from September 2010 known as Bloque Comandante Jorge Briceño, in honour of the slain guerrilla leader, was considered to be the strongest military faction of the guerrilla group. It was divided into groups of 50–400 combatants in each group, which patrolled and controlled different areas of Colombia's Eastern and Central-Eastern territory, as well as helped to carry out the killings, taxation, and arrests necessary to advance the organization's financial and political goals.
The specific divisions of the group are arguable. Some of the believed divisions or 'fronts', as they were commonly called, are shown below. Many of these fronts sometimes worked together towards a certain mission, while others were further divided into 'columns' and 'companies' with a smaller number of members. For more general information see FARC Chain of Command.

## Commanders

This group of commanders was called the "EMBO" (Estado Mayor del Bloque Oriental).
| Alias | Name | Note |
| El Médico Mauricio Jaramillo | Wilson Valderrama Cano, Jaime Alberto Parra | Commands Bloque Jorge Briceño |
| Germán Briceño Suárez, "Grannobles" | Noé Suárez Rojas | |
| Jorge Briceño Suárez, "Mono Jojoy" | Víctor Julio Suárez Rojas | Commander of FARC's military wing, killed by the Colombian army, on September 22, 2010, during the bombing of his camps. |
| Carlos Antonio Lozada | | Injured by a Colombian army attack in August 2007. |
| "Romaña" | Henry Castellanos Garón | |
| "Manuel" or "Pata Palo" | Pablo Emilio Rodríguez | After the death of "Mono Jojoy", he took over the finances of the Eastern Bloc, under the orders of his brother Noe Suarez Rojas, alias "Grannobles". Captured in April 2011. |
| Andrés París | | |
| Alexandra | Tanja Nijmeijer | |
| "Brian", "Braian", or "Brayan" | Fardy Edilson Para Parra | Involved in extortion on behalf of FARC. He belonged to the front 27, 31, 40 and 53, respectively. Captured on September 2, 2011. |

## 1st Front

Also known as the Armando Ríos Front, it was composed of around to 400 people. It operated mostly in the Guaviare Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Reynaldo | | |
| César | Gerardo Aguilar Ramírez | Arrested in 2008 during Operation Jaque. |
| Doris Adriana | Luz Dary Conde | Arrested in 2008. |
| Alfredo | | Handed himself over to the Army in April 2010 with "Jair" and a hostage girl. |
| Jair | | Handed himself over to the Army in April 2010 with "Alfredo" and a hostage girl. |

## 7th Front

Also known as the Jacobo Prías Alape Front, it was composed of up to 400 people. It operated mostly in the Meta Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Nancy | Astrid Conte Gutierrez | One of the leaders of the Front, captured in June 2012. |

## 10th Front

Also known as the Guadalupe Salcedo Front, it was composed of up to 300 people. It operated mostly in the Arauca Department.
Several police officers infiltrated one of the FARC’s 10th front camp in early 2008, preparing an attack on the camp by a police squadron. The attack came on July 29, killing 'Jurga Jurga', FARC commander and friend of FARC head ‘Mono Jojoy’. The ground offensive was follow by an airforce attack, killing 20 guerrillas, unofficial sources said. On October 22, 2011, members of the front killed 10 Colombians soldiers in an ambush in Arauca. On March 17, 2012, alleged members of the 10th front killed 11 members of the Colombian army. Security forces launched an offensive few days after the attack: on March 20, 3 alleged member of the FARC are killed and 4 captured by the army. On March 21, 33 FARC members were allegedly killed and 5 others captured.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| "El Marrano" | Carlos Julio Ávila | Accused of executing three US citizens in 1999. |
| "Jurga Jurga" | | Killed by Colombian security forces on July 29, 2008 |
| "Camilo Tuerto" | | Captured by Colombian security forces on April 11, 2009. Also second in command for the Reinel Mendez Company. |
| "Lorena" | | Captured on May 16, 2010, member of the Reinel Mendez Company. |
| "Milton Díaz" | Jhon Javier Ariza Gil | Also second in command for the Mobile Column Afonso Castellanos. Killed by Colombian security forces in August, 2010 |
| "Fabian" | | Killed by Colombian security forces on October 8, 2010, he had replaced "Milton". |
| "Katerine" | María Johana Arias Jáuregui | Killed by Colombian security forces on October 8, 2010 She was lover of alias "Grannobles". |
| "Viviana" | | Alleged guerrilla girlfriend of 10th Front commander "Efren". Wounded and captured in July 2011. |
| "Perico" | | One of the head front commander, captured on October 25. |
| "Misael | | Second front commander. Killed on March 21st, 2012. |
| "Carracho" | Danielo Benavidez | Financial and logistical head of the front. Captured on August 18, 2012. |
| "Yudi" | | Alleged "Carracho" daughter. Medics of the front. Captured on August 18, 2012. |
| "David" and "Chocha Linda" | William Alexander Salazar Acosta | Front commander. Killed on September 23, 2012. |

## 16th Front

Also known as the Jose A. Paez Front, it was composed of up to 300 people. It operated mostly in the Vichada Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Guillermo | | |
| "El Negro Acacio" | Tomás Medina Caracas | Killed in 2007. |
| Gentil Alvis Patiño, "El Chigüiro" | Juan José Martínez Vega | Captured in Venezuela in 2005. |
| "Octavio Cocopi" | | Killed on January 1, 2011. |

## 22nd Front

Also known as the Simón Bolívar Front, it was composed of up to 120 people. It operated mostly in the Cundinamarca Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Hugo | Wílmer Antonio Marín Cano | Captured in 2003. |
| "Géner Lara Muñoz", "Lucio" or "Lucio 40" | Néstor Ramírez Muñoz | He is a nephew of Luis Alberto Morantes, alias "Jacobo Arenas" (Founder and leader of FARC). Captured in April 2011. |
| Judith | Paola Andrea Arévalo | Captured in April 2011. |

## 26th Front

Also known as the Hermogenes Maza Front, it was composed of up to 130 people. It operated mostly in the Meta Department. As of 2011 this front operated in La Uribe, Vista Hermosa, La Macarena and other municipalities.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Hugo Sandóval Ruiz | Ángel Oviedo Yara | Killed in 2007. |
| Hermidas | Wálter Flórez Candil | Captured in 2004. |
| Pablo Neruda | Fabián Bedoya Salamanca | Captured on April 10, 2010. |
| Kevin | | Demobilized in April 2010. |
| Gabino | | Demobilized in April 2010. |
| "Jaime Guey" or "Guaimaro" | | Captured in April 2010, by the Police in Engativá (Cundinamarca). |

## 27th Front

It was composed of up to 500 people and operated mostly in the Meta Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Arcesio Niño | | Killed on 22-03-12. |
| Efrén | Luis Eduardo López Méndez | |
| "Jhon 40" | Gener García Molina | |
| "El médico" or "el tío" | Elver Uriel Rodriguez | Captured on March 27, 2008 |
| El Pija | Rodrigo Gaitán Rincón | Captured on April 5, 2010. |
| Pitufo | Bertulfo Caicedo Garzón | Captured. Jailed in the Cómbita prison. |
| Mariela | | Handed herself to the Army on October 28, 2010. |

## 28th Front

Also known as the José María Córdoba Front, it was composed of up to 120 people. It operated mostly in the Casanare and Boyacá Departments.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Julián Arévalo | Aristipo Aponte Alvarado | Killed in April 2014. |
| Alberto Guevara | José Nelson Garzón | Captured in 2003. |
| Pirinolo | Alexánder Beltrán | Warder of the US hostages Gonsalves, Stansell and Howes. Captured in February 2011. |

## 31st Front

This front was composed by up to 120 combatants and operated mostly in the Meta Department. Its activity diminished notoriously after its head, Duván Alberto Cartagena, was captured.

## 38th Front

Also known as the Ciro Trujillo Castaño Front, it was composed of up to 100 people. It operated mostly in the Casanare and the Boyacá Departments.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Rogelio | | Front leader |
| Karen | | Bodyguard of Efraín Méndez, killed in April 2012 |
| Sandra | | Bodyguard of Efraín Méndez, killed in April 2012 |
| Sucre | | Bodyguard of Efraín Méndez, killed in April 2012 |
| Yaír | Félix Antonio Lara Cifuentes | Captured in 2004. |

## 39th Front

Also known as the Joaquin Ballen Front, it was composed of anything between 40 and 300 people. It operated mostly in the Vichada Department. The front was led by El Cadete.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| "Jacinto", "El Danto" | | Killed in 2003. |
| "El Topo" | Octavio Ruiz | Earlier he had belonged to the 16th Front. Killed on August 10, 2010. |

## 40th Front

Also known as the Jacobo Arenas Front, it was composed of up to 350 people. It operated mostly in the Meta Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| "El Flaco Iván" | Rodrigo Alberto Salazar Montoya | Captured in 2005. |
| Chucho | Gilberto de Jesús Jaramillo Arias | Captured in 2005. |
| Tocayo, El Negro | | Demobilized in April 2010. (Son of John Freddy Balcázar alias “El Negro Antonio”) |
| Santiago | | Handed himself over to the Army in July 2010. |
| Caballo | | Demobilized on October 26, 2010. |

## 42nd Front

Also known as the Combatientes de Cundinamarca Front, it was composed of up to 110 people. It operated mostly in the Cundinamarca Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Javier Jota | | Front leader since February 2012. Killed in March 2012. |
| Eduardo Robayo | Wilson Correa Trujillo | Front leader since May 2011. Killed in February 2012. |
| Mono Jojoy | Victor Rojas Suarez | Front leader, killed in May 2011. |
| "El Campesino" | José Nerup Reyes Peña | Killed in 2007. |
| "Serrucho" | Pedro León García | Captured in 2003. |

## 43rd Front

It was composed of up to 300 people and operated mostly in the Meta Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| "John 40" | Gener García Molina | Believe to be wounded after police attack in September 2008 |
| Efrén | Luis Eduardo López Méndez | |

## 44th Front

Also known as the Antonio Ricaurte Front, it was composed of up to 350 people. It operated mostly in the Meta Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Miguel | Luis Fernando Bustos | |
| Albeiro Córdoba | Élmer Mata Caviedes | Killed in 2005. |
| "Ciro Pereza", "Ciro Cañón" | | Handed himself to the Army on October 28, 2010. |
| Demaris | | Handed herself to the Army on October 28, 2010. |
| Bricelda | | Handed herself to the Army on October 28, 2010. |
| "Ricardo Pompis" | | Handed himself to the Army on October 28, 2010. |
| Omar | | Handed himself to the Army on October 28, 2010. |
| Angie | | Killed in combat on October 28, 2010. |

## 45th Front

Also known as the Atanasio Girardot Front, it was composed of up to 150 people. It operated mostly in the Boyacá and Norte de Santander Departments.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Rafael Gutierrez | Luis Eduardo Marín | |
| "Che" | Jesús María Piedrahita | Killed in 2005. |

## 51st Front

Also known as the Jaime Pardo Leal Front, it was composed of up to 80 people. It operated mostly in the Cundinamarca Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| "R1" | Second in command | KIA on August 15, 2011. |
| "Hermides", "El Quemado" | José Parménides Castro | Captured in 2002. |
| | Pedro Orjuela | Explosive expert. Captured on May 5, 2011. |
| "Indio" or "César" | Neil Russel González Garay | Second commander of this front. He was under direct orders of alias "Mono Jojoy". Captured in September, 2011. |

## 52nd Front

Also known as the Juan de la Cruz Front, it was composed of up to 120 people. It operated mostly in the Cundinamarca and Boyacá Departments.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| "El Zarco" | Manuel Sierra | Also commands 53rd Front. |
| Arcesio Angarilla | | Killed in 2004. |

## 53rd Front

Also known as the Jose A. Anzoategui Front, it was composed of up to 120 people. It operated mostly in the Meta and Cundinamarca Departments.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| "El Zarco" | Manuel Sierra | Also commands 52nd Front. |
| "Romaña" | Henry Castellanos Garzón | Commander of several FARC Fronts. |
| Eliécer | Bertulfo García | Captured in 2005. |
| Dionilde | | Handed herself to the Army on October 28, 2010. |

## 54th Front

Also known as the Angel Bonilla, it was composed of up to 50 militants. It operated mainly in the Meta Department.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Flaminio Gómez | Jesús Vargas Gamboa | Killed in 2002. |
| Silverio | Salvador Vargas León | Killed in 2003. |

## 55th Front

Also known as the Teófilo Forero Front, it was composed of around 150 militants, although the members of its urban network were much greater. It operated mostly in the Cundinamarca Department, and was considered the FARC's base in Bogotá. It was considered responsible for much of the terrorist activity that occurred in and around the capital.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Nelson Robles | Julio Enrique Rincón Rico | |
| Rubén | Armando Barbosa Tovar | |
| Patricia | | Demobilized in April 2010. |
| Conejo | | Demobilized in April 2010. |
| El Flaco | | Demobilized in April 2010. |
| Chaño | | Demobilized in April 2010. |
| Luz Dary | Maryuri Sáenz | Killed in April 2010. |
| “Efren” or “Patequeso” | Marco Elvis Patiño | second-in-command, captured in July 2012. |

## 56th Front

It was composed by up to 80 people and operated mostly in the Casanare and Boyacá Departments.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Jerónimo Aljure | Jorge Eliécer Jiménez Martínez | Captured in 2004. |

## 62nd Front

Also known as the Yarí Front. Operated in the Meta Department. On February 14, 2012, alias Dumar, his lover alias Gisella and two other rebels were killed by the army. Four other have been captured.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Victor Tirado | Rigoberto Lozano | First commander. |
| Dumar | | Killed on February 14, 2012. |
| Yira | Devora Meza Velazco | She was third commander and chief of finance of this front. Killed in September 2011. |

## Antonio Nariño Front

It was an urban network composed of up to 50 individuals, and operated in Bogotá.
| Alias | Name | Note |
| Negro Antonio | Bernardo Mosquera Machado | Arrested in 2009. |
| Chucho | Jose Marvel Zamora | Arrested in 2008. |
| La Mona | Luz Delia Hincapié Gaviria | Arrested on October 20, 2010, while she was overseeing a car bomb preparation. |

## Urías Rondón Front

| Alias | Name | Note |
| "Elver Patón" | Néstor Raúl González Restrepo | Fifth head of the Urías Rondón Front and its chief financial officer. Arrested on September 24, 2011. |
| Nayibe | Edna Margarita Lozada Forero | Part of the security ring of alias "Elver Patón". Arrested on September 24, 2011. |
| | Sebastián Castaño Mojica | Part of the security ring of alias "Elver Patón". Arrested on September 24, 2011. |

## Columns and Companies

The following columns and companies also were part of the Eastern Bloc:
* Compañía Marquetalia: Formed in January 2011. Operated in the Meta department. 54 members. According to a report in El Espectador, the column's medics treated the local population, providing basic health services where the state presence was nonexistent.
* Mobile Column Alfonso Castellanos: Faction of the 10th front, composed by up to 120 members. Operated in the Arauca Department. His leader, "Gabino", was killed on August 24, 2008, by the Colombian Military. The second-in-command, John Javier Ariza Gil, alias "Milton Diaz, has been killed on August 19, 2010 Archived 2010-08-22 at the Wayback Machine.
* Mobile Column Juan José Rondón: It was composed by up to 250 members and operated mostly in the Guaviare Department. Its last known leader, Octavio Salamanca, alias "Urias Cuéllar", was killed in 2001.
* Special Forces: It is composed by up to 80 men and operated in what used to be the demilitarized zone.
* Company Reinel Méndez: It was composed by up to 80 men and operated in what used to be the demilitarized zone.
* Company Esteban Ramírez: It was composed by up to 80 men and operated in what used to be the demilitarized zone.
* Company Manuela Beltrán: It was composed by up to 50 men and operated in the Cundinamarca Department. Its leader, Neftaly Murcia Vargas, known as “Camilo Tabaco”, was killed on September 3, 2008, according to the Colombian Army.
* Company Abelardo Romero: It is composed by up to 40 men and operates in the Cundinamarca Department. On March 26, 2012, tens of member of the front were killed by an offensive of the army including the Company leader "Alonso Rivas". Yesid Borracho, the successor of Alonso Rivas, was killed on July 30.
* Company Joaquín Ballén: It was composed by up to 140 men and operated in the Cundinamarca Department.
* Company Che Guevara: Faction of the Eastern and Caribbean Blocs, composed by up to 120 members. Operated in what used to be the demilitarized zone.