A military operation involving over a thousand troops, helicopters and drones has been deployed in Colombia’s Amazon region in an effort to capture Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez, better known by his alias Ivan Mordisco, the guerrilla leader and head of the Central General Staff (EMC), the largest and most influential dissident faction of FARC.
Under his leadership the EMC has expanded its influence across at least 22 departments in Colombia, engaging in drug trafficking, illegal mining, extortion, and the recruitment of minors. The group is also accused of assassinating social leaders and indigenous activists in national territory. Mordisco remains one of Colombia’s most wanted fugitives.
Black Magic: A tool used by the guerrilla leader to avoid his capture?
As ground operations advance, Colombian military intelligence reports that Ivan Mordisco may have turned to black magic rituals as a way to protect himself and avoid capture. Sourced suggest that during raids on guerilla camps, authorities have found ritualistic objects, altars, and other items typically associated with spiritual or supernatural practices.
Alongside these items, authorities also found prescription glasses and a computer, both of which are believed belong to the guerilla leader.
Though authorities remain focused on intelligence and military strategy, the presence of black magic elements add a curious layer to the already complex operation.
In Colombia, black magic and sorcellery beliefs are common among leaders of illegal armed groups, whether drug traffickers, guerrilla or paramilitary members. They find in esoterism the powers they believe will shield them from law enforcement and their ennemies. Some guerrilla leaders in particular are followers of Santeria, a syncretic religion born in Cuba from Catholicism and African Yoruba polytheism.
The challenging capture of guerrilla leader alias Ivan Mordisco
Authorities have intensified the search in recent weeks after receiving intelligence suggesting that the guerilla leader may be injured and moving with a small security detail near Colombia’s southern border.
According to intelligence sources cited by El Tiempo, Ivan Mordisco was reportedly injured during an armed clash at a camp near the Caquetá River–which flows eastward through Colombia and Brazil, ultimately joining the Amazon River–the clash reportedly left six of the guerilla leader’s men dead, forcing Ivan Mordisco to take refuge in the dense Amazon Jungle. According to local authorities, he is now on the move accompanied by three women, which make up his security circle. They hail from indigenous background and were reportedly recruited by him personally.
It was even reported from a small village near the border, that residents claimed to have seen the guerilla leader wearing a makeshift sling-further reinforcing the theory that he is injured.
The manhunt for Ivan Mordisco is unfolding in one of the most challenging terrains in Colombia. Authorities face not only geographical obstacles, such as thick vegetation and limited access routes under an unpredictable weather, but also the threat of armed resistance from remaining members of his dissident group that are hidden in the Amazon jungle.
Authorities believe that Ivan Mordisco may be attempting to cross the order to escape military siege by using routes along the Caquetá and Putumayo rivers, which the guerilla leader knows intimately and has historically used to evade operations. Authorities highlight that his security circle is made up primarily of woman, many of whom are indigenous and were reportedly recruited by him personally.
At this point, authorities have determined that his security detail has been significantly reduced, which could increase the chances of his capture in Colombian territory.
Some are beginning to wonder whether the end of Ivan Mordisco’s leadership over the FARC dissidents may be near, as he is believed to be moving through the Amazon jungle increasingly isolated and weakened. For Colombia this is a long-anticipated moment, and authorities continue to intensify operations in the region in hopes of bringing a decisive close to his reign. All signs suggest that the Colombian government may be closer than ever to achieving his capture.
Amid what could be a pivotal moment leading to the guerilla leader’s capture, Colombia’s Ministry of Defense has increased the reward for information leading to Ivan Mordisco’s arrest to COP 4.45 billion (about US$1.1 million). The strategy aims to encourage members of his own organization to provide accurate intelligence on his whereabouts and capitalizing on internal divisions and growing discontent among some FARC commanders with his leadership.