Pubdate: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 Source: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 1999 Sun-Sentinel Company Contact: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/services/letters_editor.htm Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ Forum: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/interact1.htm COLOMBIA'S MAJOR PLAYERS The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Largest and strongest rural-based rebel force, founded in 1964. Conducts attacks on political, economic, military and police targets. Many members persue criminal activities, carrying out hundreds of kidnappings for profit annually. Force has ties to narcotics traffickers, principally through the provision of armed protection for coca and poppy cultivation and narcotics production facilities. Up to 20,000 - 25,000 armed combatants and supporters, mostly in rural areas. The National Liberation Army. Cuban-inspired, anti U.S. guerrilla group formed in January 1965. Primarily rural based, although it has several urban fronts, particularly in the Magdalena Medio region. Entered peace talks with Colombian Civil Society in mid-1998. Responsible for oil pipeline bombings, extortion and this year's most dramatic mass kidnappings: a church group and an Avianca airplane. Approximately 3,000-5,000 armed combatants. United Self-Defense of Colombia. Formed during the 1980's, these paramilitary groups were funded by wealthy landowners and sometimes drug lords to provide protection from guerrilla attacks and extortion. These groups operate outside of government control and are accused of having ties to government or military. The command structure for the paramilitary groups varies, with units operating autonomously both regionally and locally, Approximately 7,000 combatants. Popular Liberation Army. The smallest of all leftist groups, it was founded as a Maoist splinter group of the Communist Party in 1967. Became more active in 1980's in north Colombia. Once numbering more than 3,000, the group's internal divisions have weakened it. It has fewer than 1,000 active fighters. Sources: U.S. State Department Office of Counterterrorism, Stratfor Intelligence Reporters, Human Rights Watch and Orlando Sentinel Research. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea