AlHijjah 9, 1432, Nov 5, 2011, SPA -- Colombians rejoiced at the killing of top FARC rebel leader Alfonso Cano and hoped the biggest blow yet against Latin America's longest insurgency could herald an end to nearly five decades of war, Reuters reported. In a triumph for President Juan Manuel Santos' security policy, forces bombed a FARC mountain hideout in southwestern Cauca region, killing several rebels, officials said. Troops then rappelled down from helicopters to search the area, killing the widely-hated Marxist rebel boss in a gun battle during the operation on Friday. Pictures of his dead body -- with his trademark beard shaven off -- were broadcast on television. Six laptop computers were found along with 39 memory sticks, cellular phones and cash in pesos, dollars and euros. The death of the former student activist, who had a $3.7 million bounty on his head, is unlikely to spell a quick end to a war that has killed tens of thousands in the Andean nation. But it will further damage the drug trade-funded rebels' ability to coordinate high profile bombings, ambushes and kidnappings that have brought them worldwide notoriety. "It is the most devastating blow this group has suffered in its history," Santos said. "I want to send a message to each and every member of that organization: 'demobilize' ... or otherwise you will end up in a prison or in a tomb. We will achieve peace." -- SPA
