The new organisation spreads especially in the northern part of the country. All three groups are mainly present in the rural areas, this by the way being an important factor in understanding the conflict in Colombia. It has often been stated that the roots the guerilla has among the peasants stopped them from gaining a foothold in the cities. Whereas the armed organisations influence or even control large rural regions, they hardly have any influence on the conflicts in the cities. Although this criticism is legitimate to a certain degree, one should not forget how difficult it is to work illegally in the cities.
Repression there is much harder than in the countryside.
Still, the guerilla has brought alot about in the cities in spite of these restrictions. In the seventies, more guerilla organisations are being formed, many quite different from the already mentioned ones in their political program and their operations. In spite of numerous splits and crises of the different organisations, the guerilla has transformed into a real menace to the government in the late seventies. An outstanding general strike in 1977 manifests the dissatisfaction of the population. But other than expected, resistance is spreading in Colombia.