Colombia fears FARC dissident retaliation after death of key commander alias Marlon

Concerns are mounting in Jamundí, a municipality in Colombia's Valle del Cauca region, just hours before the presidential election runoff, following the death of alias Marlon. Iván Jacobo Idrobo Arredondo, known as alias Marlon, was a powerful figure within the FARC's 'Estado Mayor Central' dissident group. He led the 'Jaime Martínez' front, a key component of the Comando Coordinador de Occidente structure, which broke away from the peace process.

Marlon was identified as a key orchestrator of violent attacks against both security forces and the civilian population across Valle, Cauca, and Nariño over the past four years. His alleged involvement in a bombing near Cali's airbase on August 21, 2025, which resulted in six fatalities and over 70 injuries, and a deadly cylinder bomb explosion on April 25, 2025, that claimed 21 civilian lives, highlights the severity of his actions.

Residents in the rural areas of Jamundí, particularly those in the upper reaches of the municipality, are expressing anxiety about potential retaliatory attacks from Marlon's former associates. The fear stems from the group's history of violence, including bombings and explosive attacks in Cali, Santander de Quilichao, and other parts of northern Cauca. Intelligence reports from 2023 detailed Marlon's alleged plans, including the use of improvised explosive devices like a motorcycle bomb, and urged local authorities to implement stringent security measures to protect the public and state infrastructure.

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Within the terrorist plans is the installation of a motorcycle bomb, which would correspond to a black motorcycle that was fitted with explosives under the passenger seat cover and keychain detonators would be intended for use.