Terrorism101 Home Page : Terrorist Organizations : Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia
Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC)
AKA: United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia
Description
The AUC, commonly referred to as the paramilitaries, is an umbrella group formed in April 1997 to organize loosely affiliated illegal paramilitary groups that emerged to retaliate against leftist guerillas fighting the government and the landed establishment. The AUC quickly discarded its counter-guerilla mission, however, electing instead to involve itself in the illegal drug trade. Recently, as the result of a large demobilization process, most of the AUC’s centralized military structure has been dismantled and nearly all the top paramilitary chiefs have stepped down. More than 23,000 paramilitary members have demobilized bloc by bloc since 2003 to 2005. Colombia now faces criminal gangs formed by some demobilized paramilitaries and some paramilitary groups that have refused to disarm. These groups are often referred to as the AUC because of their origin and the loose decentralized structure, which make it difficult to differentiate between the AUC and other paramilitary groups. Like the AUC, these new groups claim to fight guerrillas and are supported by local elites, some drug traffickers, and local communities lacking effective government security. Many of the still active paramilitary blocs or newly formed criminal gangs are focused primarily on drug trafficking, other lucrative illicit activity, and controlling local politics.
Activities
Paramilitary operations vary from assassinating suspected insurgent supporters to engaging guerrilla combat units. As much as 70 percent of the paramilitary operational costs are financed with drug-related earnings, with the rest coming from "donations" from sponsors. These groups generally avoid actions against U.S. personnel or interests. Colombia’s homicide rate is at its lowest level in 18 years, in part because of the cease-fire agreement and the large number of demobilizations. Other violence indicators such as kidnapping and terror attacks have also decreased significantly.
Strength
About 10,000 remaining active paramilitary members and unarmed support network members.
Location/Area of Operation
Paramilitary forces are strongest in northwest Colombia in Antioquia, Cordoba, Sucre, Atlantico, Magdelena, Cesar, La Guajira, and Bolivar Departments, with affiliate groups in the coffee region, Valle del Cauca, and in Meta Department.
External Aid
None.
Terrorism101 Home Page : Terrorist Organizations : Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia
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