Rebel front leader killed in Colombia

[Zorro]

A National Liberation Army (ELN) front leader, also wanted in the 1999 hijacking of an Avianca passenger jet, has been killed in northern Colombia, authorities said.

"The rebel known as Marquitos, leader of the ELN's Dario Martinez front and a member of its national leadership, has been killed. Congratulations, armed forces," President Juan Manuel Santos said in a message on Twitter, posted while traveling in Rome.

The death of the rebel, whose real name is Jose Amin Hernandez, was a "decisive blow" to the ELN thanks to an operation by the police and armed forces, an Army statement said.

Amin Hernandez was also blamed for the 1999 hijacking of a domestic flight with 46 people on board.

http://news.yahoo.com/rebel-front-leader-killed-colombia-023035438.html

[Bacchus4.0]

1. Excellent, time to request Cuba extradite the rebel scum for prosecution in Colombia nt

[COLGATE4]

2. One less asshole the Colombian people have to suffer. nt

[Bacchus4.0]

3. FARC vows to release active child soldiers under 15

http://colombiareports.com/farc-vows-to-release-active-child-soldiers-under-15/

Colombian rebel group FARC said on Monday it is waiting for government safety protocols to release soldiers younger than 15 from their ranks.

After initiating peace talks in November 2012, the group had already stop the recruitment of minors who are 17 and younger. However, the group has so far been quiet on what it plans to do with its currently active child soldiers.

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The use of fighters under 18 is considered a war crime by international humanitarian law.

Thousands of minors are suspected of fighting for the FARC, meaning the release of all minors would consist of a major diminishing of the group’s fighting force.