Global InformationPopular Liberation Army information
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| Popular Liberation Army Ejército Popular de Liberación | |
|---|---|
 Flag of the EPL | |
| Leaders | David León (captured), Francisco Caraballo (captured), Megateo † |
| Dates of operation | 1967–present |
| Active regions | Colombia, mostly in Norte de Santander |
| Ideology |
|
| Political position | Far-left |
| Size | 132 (official estimate as of 2017)[1] |
| Part of | Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Board[2] |
The Popular Liberation Army (Spanish: Ejército Popular de Liberación, EPL) is a Colombian anti-revisionist Marxist–Leninist guerrilla group created in 1967. Most of its former members demobilized in 1991, forming the Esperanza, Paz y Libertad (Hope, Peace, and Liberty) party, but a dissident faction, formerly led by Megateo, known as "Los Pelusos", continue operating. On June 22, 1994, Francisco Caraballo, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Colombia (M-L) and Commander in Chief of the People's Liberation Army (Ejército Popular de Liberación, EPL), was arrested along with his wife, son and several other EPL members.[3] Víctor Ramon Navarro Cervano, alias "Megateo," the leader of the last faction of the Popular Liberation Army (EPL), was killed in a military and police operation in Norte de Santander department in 2015.[4] On December 15, 2016, Megateo's successor Guillermo León Aguirre, alias “David León,” was captured in Medellín.[1] 40 days after the capture of David León, the body of his successor Jade Navarro Barbaso, alias “Caracho,” was still not found after disappearing.[1]
By 2017, the group was estimated to have only 132 members and only had a presence in 10 municipalities of Catatumbo, located in the department of Norte de Santander.[1] It has also been reported that some people identifying themselves as EPL members were actually FARC dissidents.[1]
- ^ a b c d e "EPL". Insight Crime. March 14, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- ^ "Negociación y desmovilización con grupos armados (M-19, Epl, Prt, Maql y Crs)". 2012-11-18.
- ^ La Forge (June 22, 1994). "Communiqué On the Arrest of Francisco Caraballo". Marxist-Leninist Translations. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- ^ "Colombia Confirms Death of Narco-Guerrilla 'Megateo'". insightcrime.org. Retrieved 2 November 2015.