Cano ascended to the top post of the Western Hemisphere's largest and oldest guerrilla group after the FARC announced late last month that its maximum commander, Manuel Marulanda, had died of natural causes, ending his 44-year reign as leader of the group.
The last time the outside world caught a glimpse of Cano was in 2000. Cano (whose given name was Guillermo Saenz Leon) was leading a rally of the FARC's newly minted clandestine political party, the Bolivarian Movement.
In the meanwhile, Colombian forces have been making gains against FARC.
In Colombia, the army says FARC guerrillas are on the run, thanks in part to billions in American aid. Some officials are predicting victory, and a quick end to a conflict that goes back for decades. But to many, the guerrillas remain ever present in the countryside, and promise more trouble for Washington's closest ally in Latin America.
Will this be the end of FARC? Or is the celebration too soon?
FARC: 2008 won't be a year to remember for the terrorist organization.
Where I found the second article:
Foreign Policy Passport
