Colombia Reactivates 3 Interpol Red Notices For FARC Dissident Ivan Marquez – US Offers $10 Million Reward

Ivan Marquez was once a top FARC insurgent leader and member of the rebel group’s negotiation delegation during the talks leading up to the 2016 peace deal that saw most of the group turn in its weapons and become a political party. But two years later after his nephew was arrested and extradited to the US, implicating Marquez in the process, Marquez fled and reorganized a FARC dissident group that calls itself the Segunda Marquetalia.

Yesterday, Colombia’s attorney general and national police have announced that it is formally seeking Marquez, whose birth name is Ivan Luciano Marquez Marin Arango, on charges of aggravated homicide, forced disappearance, illegal recruitment of people, and homicide of protected persons.

Ivan Marquez

The Colombian government has asked Interpol to reactivate 3 red notices against Marquez that were suspended as part of the peace deal. The Colombian government is offering up to $3 billion pesos (roughly $767,000 USD) and the United States, that has wanted Marquez for some time, is offering up to $10 million USD.

Colombian national police chief Jorge Vargas believes Marquez is hiding out in Venezuela. “We have formally asked Interpol’s central office in Venezuela to locate and capture alias Ivan Marquez, who is in Venezuela, to be extradited to Colombia and answer for these crimes,” he said.

Venezuela’s collapse in governance and security has made the country a safe haven for rebel insurgents and mafia groups operating around and through the Venezuela – Colombia border. Many accuse the Venezuelan government, especially the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) group of allegedly corrupt government officials, of complicity with these criminal and insurgent groups. The Cartel De Los Soles gets its name from the solar-themed insignia that designates the rank of general in the Venezuelan military.

Those with information are urged to contact Colombian or US authorities, or may also contact Interpol’s Fugitives & Wanted Persons Unit by clicking here.

Fueron reactivadas las circulares rojas de Interpol contra el segundo cabecilla de la Segunda Marquetalia, alias ‘Iván Márquez’. La @PoliciaColombia solicitó a las autoridades venezolanas que actúen para ubicar y capturar a este delincuente, que queda bajo la mira de 196 países. pic.twitter.com/k9AWuKyJkx

— Mindefensa (@mindefensa) August 5, 2021