Marcos Calarcá

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Luis Alberto Albán Burbano aka "Marcos Calarcá" or "Marco León Calarcá" is a Colombian guerrilla member and spokeperson of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Calarca gained notoriety internationally when the Colombian government asked the Mexican government to shut down a legally authorized office of the FARC in Mexico City for their violent activities in Colombia and their support network in Mexico. Calarca was a spokesperson for the FARC in Mexico from 1993 until 2002.[1]

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[edit] Arrest in Bolivia and extradition to Mexico

On Tuesday March 24, 1998 Calarca was arrested by in Bolivia by the Bolivian police at the airport of La Paz. Calarca was deported from Bolivia to Mexico since Colombia never requested his extradition.[2]

[edit] Kidnapping of foreigners in Colombia

In 1998 FARC kidnapped a number of foreigners including four American contractors working in counter narcotics operations. The FARC claimed that these four hostages were spies involved in counter-insurgency operations aiding the Colombian military. The United States denied this as well as then president of Colombia Ernesto Samper. Calarca mediated in the issue and was an active spokeperson for the FARC.[3]

[edit] Expelled from Mexico

Calarca and other members of the FARC left Mexico on April 17, 2002 with Cuba or Venezuela as presumed destinations.[4]

[edit] FARC-government peace process attempt

Calarca became part of the "thematic committee" during the FARC-Government peace process (1999-2002) along with other members of the FARC; Iván Ríos (coordinator), Mariana Páez, Domingo Biohó, Felipe Rincón, Julián Conrado, Gabriel Angel, Fidel Rondón, Bayron Yepes and Pedro Aldana.[5]

[edit] Wanted by Colombian authorities

The government of Colombia is offering a reward of COP$1500 million pesos for his capture or killing through the Interpol services.[6]

[edit] References