Manuel Marulanda

Manuel Marulanda Vélez, born Pedro Antonio Marín Marín on May 13, 1930, emerged as a prominent figure in Colombia's tumultuous political landscape. Hailing from a peasant family in the coffee-growing region of Quindío, he was deeply influenced by the political alignments of his family, particularly with the Liberal Party during the violent conflicts of the 1940s and 1950s.

Marulanda's political journey took a significant turn during the period known as 'La Violencia,' which followed the assassination of Liberal leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán. It was during this time that he shifted his ideological allegiance to the Communist Party, ultimately leading to the founding of the Marxist–Leninist FARC-EP, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People's Army.

Known by the nickname 'Tirofijo,' which translates to 'Surefire,' Marulanda earned this moniker due to his reputed marksmanship. His leadership of FARC-EP was marked by numerous acts of terrorism, kidnappings, and connections with drug cartels, which led to his designation as a terrorist by various governments, including the United States, which placed a five million dollar bounty on his head in March 2006.

Despite the extensive manhunt, Marulanda evaded capture throughout his life. He continued to command FARC-EP until his death from a heart attack on March 26, 2008. Following his passing, Alfonso Cano succeeded him as the commander-in-chief, marking the end of an era for the guerrilla group.