Colombian rebel leader said to be dying of cancer

[bemildred]

THE legendary leader of Colombia?s largest rebel army is dying of cancer,
according to a well respected Colombian journalist, prompting speculation on
the future of the country?s 40-year civil conflict.

In yesterday?s edition of the Colombian magazine Diners, the journalist
Patricia Lara reported Pedro Antonio Marin, better known by his guerrilla alias
"Manuel Marulanda", has cancer and less than six months to live.

Lara said: "My sources are very good and they are not from the army or state
intelligence."

Marulanda, known in the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) as
"Sureshot" because of his unswerving aim, is the rebel group?s founder. He
built the organisation from a handful of cousins and friends to 17,000 fighters
who now control up to 40 per cent of the country.

Scotsman