BOGOTA, April 20 (UPI) -- The commander of Colombia's armed forces said the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces, or FARC, are weakening but have refused to accept it, officials said.
Adm. Edgar Cely said FARC and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, are increasing terrorist attacks in order to stay visible, El Espectador reported.
FARC and ELN "are dying, although these evil organizations are reluctant to believe it and they fight, through terrorism, explosives and landmines, to prevent it and stay visible," said Cely.
He said joint operations by members of the army, police, navy and the air force have made a significant blow to the two left-wing guerrilla groups, but there is more to be done.
The admiral praised the armed forces before calling them one of the most skilled and experienced counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics forces in the hemisphere.
Cely said the 45-year internal armed conflict between FARC and Colombia's armed forces will eventually come to an end once FARC and ELN realize it is their only option.
Statistics show 53 FARC guerrillas have been killed, 90 arrested and 85 voluntarily demobilized as of March.
