Bogota - Colombia's army said they killed the highest-ranking woman commander of the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group during fighting near the capital, Bogota.

Forensic investigators on Wednesday confirmed the death of Maria Ardila, alias Mariana Paz, last Friday in clashes in the village of San Juan, army chief General Oscar Gonzales said.

Ardila had been a member of FARC for 20 years and was the only woman in the rebel group's 45-year history to be a member of the guerilla's central command.

In the 32-member body, Ardila was in charge of ideological questions and the rebel radio station Vox Resistencia. She also headed recruitment of students for the guerrillas.

FARC has been fighting the Colombian state since 1964, but suffered heavy setbacks by the military in recent years.

On Tuesday the army announced that Jesus Guzman, also known as Gaitan, a leading FARC commander, was killed, apparently in the same incident as Ardila. (dpa)