Highly organized and trained, FARC operates with complex levels of sophistication:  Squads, consisting of 12 combatants, make up Guerrilla groups (two squads together), while companies operate as two Guerrilla groups come together.  Columns group companies in pairs while fronts combine columns - all in an effort to allow loose and flexible organization between members of the group.  Central High Command designates the high command of each block of fronts, while the secretariat of the Central High Command (a seven seat council) rules over the entire movement and all of it’s members.  This complex, military-esque structure was chosen by FARC specifically to give the look of an official military, instead of a terrorist organization.

FARC has participated in a myriad of attacks of various sizes and goals. According to the START Database, FARC loves to engage in Bombing/Explosives type terrorist attacks, with 958 registered incidents. Armed Assault and Hostage Taking round out the top three, with 803 and 367 incidents respectively. As you can tell, FARC has been extremely active in pursuing aggressive action, often to strike out against the Colombian government or to raise funds to continue their fight. The most recent of attacks took place on June 22, 2015 when FARC bombed the Tansandio Pipeline. This caused 10,000 barrels of oil to contaminate waterways resulting in nearly 150,000 people losing access to water. The Colombian Government speculates that this is the worst environmental disaster in Colombian history. Although no one was directly injured or killed, this attack may have been a form of protest against the Colombian government’s exportation of oil and resource association with other nations.

Below: The Aftermath of the Oil Spill