"Sureshot" FARC leader dies

The leader and founder of Latin America's largest and oldest running left-wing militia, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), died of a heart-attack. Colombian intelligence sources claim Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda, died on March 26. This has now been confirmed by FARC who will replace Marulanda with Alfonso Cano, a man considered more politically savvy than the former military strategist.

The toD verdict: Under Marulanda, FARC became a 17,000 member-force able to launch successful attacks against a better equipped and US-funded Columbian army. During the 1990's FARC began to lose its insurgent allure as it seized control of the narcotics trade. Through drugs, FARC financed a war that has led to 40,000 dead and has displaced nearly three million people.

Nonetheless, with Marulanda gone, it seems likely that the FARC will come under greater pressure to compromise. Two months ago, FARC's second-in-command, Raul Reyes, was killed in a Colombian air strike at a base inside Ecuador. FARC's failed attempt to recapture its historic La Julia stronghold in December 2006 was followed by a series of arrests that landed FARC members in jail in an area that traditionally supports the movement. Coupled with six years of intense security operations under Columbian President Alvaro Uribe, the four decades of fighting may be nearing an end.

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Shia cleric Moktada al-Sadr and Sheik Salman al-Fraiji, head of Sadr's office in east Baghdad, are accusing Iraqi soldiers of violating a fragile peace agreement that has brought some calm to Sadr City. The accusations were dismissed by a government spokesman. However, Fraiji says some Iraqi soldiers are not following orders from their superior commanders but are operating under ulterior motifs.

Nigerian oil pipeline attack

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) released a statement today claiming responsibility for the sabotage of a Shell pipeline at the Awoba flow station. It claims 11 Nigerian soldiers died in a gun fight following the oil pipeline attack. The Nigerian army initially denied the claims but has since reversed its position. Shell has yet to release a comment.

NATO criticises Pakistan Taliban strategy

NATO spokesman Mark Laity is urging Islamabad to reconsider its decision to seek peace talks with militants responsible for attacks in Afghanistan. NATO is witnessing an increase in attacks against coalition soldiers in southern Afghanistan.  Former mujahideen chief and now opposition leader, Burhanuddin Rabbani, said the Taliban will continue to combat all foreign soldiers in Afghanistan. Rabbani leads the opposition block in Kabul's parliament and has been in contact with the Taliban.

India caste riot

Three days of caste riots in by the Gujjar community in villages and towns across the western Rajasthan state has led to 37 dead. The Gujjars are making demands to have their caste downgraded. The downgrade will enable them to apply for government jobs and univeristity positions. To quell the riots, police opened fire with live ammo on a group in of demonstrators. Fifteen died and one police offier was beaten to death. The government has refused to concede to Gujjar's demands.

Indonesia's poor suffer from fuel prices

Jakarta increased fuel prices on Saturday.  Indonesia is spending billions to subsidise fuel. The money is draining funds from social programs like health and education as well as infrastructure. Coupled with the rising costs of basic foods stuffs like soybeans, wheat, and cooking oil, Indonesians earning less than $2/day are the hardest hit. There are an estimated 19 million families in Indonesia living in poverty.