The military reported that FARC and ELN are, for the first time in half a century, shrinking. Together, these two organizations have some 21,000 men under arms. In the eight month period ending in March, 3,217 rebels were captured, 1,412 died in combat and at least 1,100 deserted and went home. Rebel recruiting has been less successful, and the military staff believes overall rebel strength has shrunk over that period.
