Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional Puertorriqueña
The Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional (English: Armed Forces of National Liberation, FALN) was a Puerto Rican clandestine paramilitary organization that, through direct action, advocated independence for Puerto Rico. It carried out more than 130 bomb attacks in the United States between 1974 and 1983, including a 1975 bombing of the Fraunces Tavern in New York City that killed four people.
| Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional Puertorriqueña | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Filiberto Ojeda Ríos † |
| Dates of operation | 1950–1983 |
| Active regions | United States |
| Ideology | Puerto Rican independence Marxism-Leninism |
| Opponents | Government of the United States |
| Battles and wars | Puerto Rican independence movement |
The FALN served as the predecessor of the Boricua Popular Army. Several of the organization's members were arrested and convicted for seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery and for firearms and explosives violations. On August 11, 1999 United States President Bill Clinton offered clemency to sixteen of the convicted militants under the condition that they renounce any kind of violent manifestation. This decision drew criticism towards the Clinton administration from figures including the Office of the United States Attorney, the FBI, and the United States Congress.