Quito
A powerful leader of Colombia’s largest rebel group was captured this week in neighboring Ecuador. Ricardo Palmera, better known as Simon Trinidad, was the highest-ranking commander of the guerrilla army known as the FARC to be arrested in 40 years of fighting. Ecuadorean police arrested Palmera, 54, in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, acting on a tip from Colombian agents who were tailing him. He was immediately returned to Colombia to face more than 30 charges, including kidnapping and murder. Military experts warned to expect a violent response, but Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said the arrest proved the rebels were doomed. “Terrorism will never triumph,” Uribe said.
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