In a surprising turn of events, the dissident guerrilla leader known as ‘Allende’ has emerged alive, contradicting the Colombian goverment earlier declaration of his death. ‘Allende,’ associated with the Second Marquetalia, resurfaced through a recorded message, shedding light on an operation that took place on December 31, 2023, in the rural outskirts of Nariño.

During the recorded statement, ‘Allende’ urged both the Colombian government and international institutions to investigate the military operation that led to his alleged demise. Notably, he highlighted the presence of a 15-year-old among the casualties and appealed for an end to what he termed as “false positives.” “We are not drug traffickers or high-impact gangs; we are the consequence of the betrayal of the La Habana agreements,” asserted ‘Allende’ in the recording, a sentiment widely reported by several Colombian media outlets.

The elusive ‘Allende’ leads the ‘Alfonso Cano’ front of the Second Marquetalia and is believed to be closely associated with the dissident faction’s chief, Luciano Marín Arango, alias ‘Iván Márquez,’ whose whereabouts remain unknown.

However, questions arise about the identity and criminal history of ‘Allende,’ as he attempts to portray himself as a victim in the media. A closer look reveals a lengthy list of charges and a criminal record:

Criminal Charges:

• 2008: Joined CMDA ONT FARC –EP
• 2009: Became a rank-and-file member of RAT CMDA
• 2013: Became the leader of RAT sector L of Chimbuza in the extinct CM. Daniel Aldana
• 2017: Third-tier leader of the GAO-r O.S.
• 2019: Served as the second and top leader of Finances GAO-r E. O.S.
• 2021: Became the leader of the BOAC Nariño structure, “Second Marquetalia coordinator” in Nariño

Criminal Track Record:

‘Allende’ has led a terrorist organization historically involved in strengthening illicit activities, including narcotics trafficking, extortion, homicides, kidnapping, coercion, and confinement of residents and traders. Operating illegally in municipalities such as Roberto Payan, Olaya Herrera, Mosquera, Francisco Pizarro, La Tola, and San Andrés de Tumaco, the dissident group has also targeted the vital San Juan de Pasto to San Andrés de Tumaco transport route and governmental infrastructures. Their actions include acts of terrorism such as blowing up the trans-Andean oil pipeline and electricity interconnection towers, as well as hydrocarbon theft.

‘Allende’ is accused of an extensive criminal record, prominently featuring terrorist actions against the Armed Forces and civilian population, including murders, kidnappings, military unit seizures, illegal checkpoints, terrorist attacks, and police personnel killings.

Moreover, specific terrorist actions carried out by the Alfonso Cano Block of the Western Organized Armed Group (GAO-r E Bloque Occidental “Alfonso Cano”), under ‘Allende’s’ criminal direction, have been documented:

Crimes in 2021:

• Armed Confrontations affecting the civilian population in Olaya Herrera, Nariño
• Forced Displacement in Olaya Herrera, Nariño
• Discovery of a Mass Grave in Olaya Herrera, Nariño
• Forced Displacement in the Gómez Jurado and El Carmen areas, Olaya Herrera, Nariño
• Armed Confrontations affecting the civilian population in Mosquera, Nariño
• Armed Confrontations affecting the civilian population in Roberto Payan, Nariño
• Forced Displacement in the communities of Pato and Fátima, Olaya Herrera, Nariño
• Armed Confrontations against residual armed groups in Roberto Payan, Nariño

Area of Influence:

‘Allende’ strategically positioned his base in the rural area near the rivers Patía and Chimbuza in Roberto Payan (Nariño). This location is crucial for the GAO-r E Bloque Occidental “Alfonso Cano,” given its use of rivers, streams, and footpaths as mobility corridors for transporting precursor chemicals, cocaine hydrochloride, weaponry, and illegal combatants.

Rear Area:

The rear area of the OMINA, located near the Mercedes de Chimbuza village, sees criminal presence around the Chagüi, Mejicano, Gualajo, Llanaje, Patía, and Curay rivers, as well as in various villages and urban areas in San Andrés de Tumaco, Roberto Payán, and Francisco Pizarro.

Impact on Public Security:

‘Allende,’ presumed leader of the GAO-r E Bloque Occidental “Alfonso Cano,” oversees the acquisition of weaponry and logistical support through a vast network. This network conducts criminal intelligence on Colombian Armed Forces units to anticipate military operations in their base area. Additionally, ‘Allende’ has established corridors of mobility both within Colombia and into Ecuador, facilitating the movement of illegal substances internationally.

Since establishing a presence in his area of influence, ‘Allende’ has found sanctuary, leveraging natural obstacles to impede military operations. His armed structure, adept at evading authorities, has designed a plan allowing him to escape across the border into Ecuador in case of a Colombian military operation.

The GAO-r E Bloque Occidental “Alfonso Cano” engages in criminal activities, extorting coca cultivators and imposing “taxes” on residents and traders in various municipalities. Their cocaine trafficking activities connect with transnational criminal organizations, and they execute terrorist actions against the Armed Forces and civilians, targeting governmental installations, roads, and energy infrastructure in Nariño.

The reappearance of ‘Allende’ raises critical questions about the ongoing conflict in the region, the activities of dissident groups, and the complexities faced by security forces in addressing these challenges. Investigations into the discrepancies between official reports and ‘Allende’s’ survival are anticipated in the coming weeks.