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Colombia's Revolutionary Alternative Force for the Commons (FARC) presidential candidate Rodrigo Londoño has undergone open-heart surgery at Bogota's Shaio Clinic after suffering a heart attack late last week, casting doubt over his ability to continue on the campaign trail.
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This is the second cardiac surgery that Londoño, also known by his nom de guerre 'Timochenko', has been subjected to in the past week: doctors operated on the former guerrilla leader last Thursday after he experienced chest pains during his routine exercise the previous day. Surgeons found major three major blockages in the candidate's heart during this latest operation.
The former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia commander has continued to tweet from his hospital bed: "I reaffirm my commitment to peace and reconciliation with my heart even stronger," he posted on Twitter.
"Everything's okay! Now to begin recuperating. I'm very grateful to the team of doctors for their care and attention."
Ratifico mi entrega a la paz y a la reconciliación, ahora con el corazón más fuerte. !Todo bien! Ya vamos empezando la recuperación. Estoy muy agradecido al cuerpo médico por sus cuidados y atenciones.
— Rodrigo Londoño (@TimoFARC) 7 de marzo de 2018
Londoño underwent his first open-heart surgery in 2016 in Cuba while he was taking part in the peace agreement between the FARC and the Colombian government, which was formalized later that year.
Meanwhile, in the run-up to Sunday's parliamentary elections, it has been announced that Colombia will close its borders on Thursday until the polls are over.
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