COLOMBIA-FARC-MARULANDA-DEATH

(FILE) The top commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Pedro Antonio Marin, better known as "Manuel Marulanda" or "Tirofijo", is followed by his dog "Negrita", as he heads towards a group of journalists on March 9, 2001 in Los Pozos, Colombia. Colombian magazine Semana said on May 24, 2008 that Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos has confirmed that Marulanda is dead, based on intelligence reports. According to Semana, Santos said there are reports which indicate Marulanda died of an illness in March. When consulted by the AFP, sources of the Presidency and the Defense Ministry said they could not confirm the information. AFP PHOTO/RODRIGO ARANGUA