United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)
Your ENTIRE paper should be 10 pages. You must use APA style and format and have a title page and a reference, aside from the 10 pages of content
– Provide background information on that country. For example, its location in the world (feel free to provide pictures of the location on a world map and pictures of the country’s flag), population size and demographics, language(s) spoken, information on the economy, crime and violence, racial and demographic information
– Research the issues the country has with the terrorist organization
– Include information on when the terrorist organization was formed, the members, the size of the organization, and types of violence/attacks they have used or are currently using
– Highlight the motives of the group
– Discuss efforts that the country has made to stop the terrorist attacks and threats
– Highlight any intervention by the United States to combat terrorism in that country
– Discuss any current active threat levels of the terrorist group OR what led to an end of the terrorist group.
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Introduction
Over the years, Colombia has struggled with the fight against various terrorist groups within her borders. Of the many terrorist groups within the country, the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) is considered to be among the most dangerous. These terrorist organizations apply different tactics such as drug trafficking to fund their activities, bombings, and targeting political leaders to instill fear and influence political and economic decisions in their favor (UNRIC, 2019). The Colombian government, with the help of international players like the United States, has tried to suppress the powers and influence of these organizations with some levels of success. However, even with these efforts in place, the AUC, together with other terrorist organizations in Colombia, have managed to find new tactics to survive. These means that the process of fighting these terrorist organizations is still an ongoing process that has taken the Colombian government decades and counting. As such, this study focuses on the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia terrorist group, to understand how the group started, its organization structure, how it carries its terrorist activities in Colombia, and the efforts made win the fight against such terrorist organizations.
Background information on Colombia
Colombia is one of the countries making up the South America continent with its neighbors being Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. In recent decades, Colombia has been in the headlines mainly for the wrong reasons, specifically due to the production and trafficking of illegal drugs such as cocaine. It is estimated that Colombia is the main source or supplier of cocaine, making its way into the United States and Europe, with many terrorist gangs being involved in this trade (USA.gov. 2004). Gallant efforts between the United States and Colombia have helped suppress the power of these gangs with the hope of eliminating this practice of drug trafficking. Though these efforts have borne some fruits with the efforts of these gangs diminishing significantly, there are still some elements left with the potential to cause havoc and remains a major problem.
For decades, there have been many terrorist gangs involved in all manner of crimes within Colombia. Of the many gangs involved, three of them stand out due to their huge size and influence on matters related to crime and drug trafficking. The Revolutionary Forces of Colombia is considered to be the oldest and most influential gang in Colombia, while the National Liberation Army of Colombia and the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia also known to very dangerous groups (UNRIC, 2019). These groups have been responsible for much of the violence experienced in Colombia over the years and have been heavily involved in illegal trades such as drug trafficking, bombing, and assassinations of political leaders. For this study, the focus will be on the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia to understand its operations and the specific role it has played in the violence experienced in Colombia.
Historical Background of the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia
The United Self Defense Forces of Colombia started as a paramilitary organization with most of its activities being between 1997 and 2006 (Sullivan, 2016). The 1980s saw many guerilla groups such as Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia (FARC) terrorize Colombia as they went about their drug trafficking business and other illegal trades (Sullivan, 2016). These guerrilla groups terrorized the locals to the extent that it prompted the creation of several paramilitary units such as the AUC and self-defense units aimed at protecting themselves and their loved against violence from the guerilla groups operating in Colombia (Ruiz, 2009). 1982 saw three brothers namely; Vicente, Fidel, and Carlos Castaño form the Las Tangas, a group that was aimed to fight the FARC and their motivation was to avenge for their father’s death whose cause of death was from the violence meted on him by the FARC (Ruiz, 2009). The formation of Las Tangas is just an example of how most of these paramilitary organizations and small defense groups formed to defend themselves against the violent terrorist gangs such as the FARC.
By 1994, the efforts of the Las Tangas group was beginning to catch the attention of the Colombian military who decided to partner with the group, a step that elevated to a paramilitary defense group with its main operations being in Urabá and Antioquia (Sullivan, 2016). In 1997, the Castaño decided to extend the size of the group to incorporate more people and cover a wider jurisdiction, and this was possible through partnerships with other regional paramilitary groups. As the groups started to grow in influence, elite individuals in Colombia and some drug traffickers joined the group with the hope of protection from the dreaded guerrilla groups such as the FARC (The Telegraph,2008). To instill fear on the individuals operating these guerilla groups, the AUC became associated with gruesome attacks and horrific killings.
Within a span of just two years, that is 1997 to 1999; the AUC had already been involved in the deaths of approximately 19,000 people majority of who were members of guerilla groups and their sympathizers (Sullivan, 2016). With time, the AUC started to employ other tactics apart from killing, which involved kidnappings, assassinations, sparking a very violent environment with other Guerilla groups. The Telegraph (2008) notes that by 2000, the AUC had scaled up its activities such that sometimes it conducted attacks to disrupt any talks that the Colombian government was trying to engage with these guerilla groups.
Sullivan (2016) Argues that the fact that the AUC was recognized as a paramilitary group working closely with the Colombian military meant that some of their violent activities were often not given a lot of attention by the Colombian government. This means that the group was allowed to continue with its activities regardless of their violent nature. This was in contrast to the FARC which was met with a lot of fire and furry by the Colombian government if it ever attempted to commit any similar violent activities (Sullivan, 2016). The failure by the Colombian government to regulate the activities of the AUC meant that the organization started to metamorphosis into a criminal gang. By 2001, the AUC main source of revenue was from drug trafficking as it offered protection against FARC to individuals involved in the trade (The Telegraph,2008). This meant that its continued association with criminals made it more violent and marked the start when the group started to abandon its original purpose.
According to ranks Álvarez (2016), by 2002, the Colombian government was beginning to get concerned by the activities of the AUC, a factor that saw the group dissolve momentarily arguing that it was a house clean-up exercise aimed at kicking out drug traffickers and other criminals from their ranks. Despite resistance from his brothers, Carlos Castaño, the group’s leader opted to negotiate with the government for a cease-fire into their violent activities, and the AUC agreed to demobilize ranks (Álvarez, 2016). However, these efforts became futile after there was a lack of transparency in the group’s activities. (Álvarez, 2016) notes that the AUC demands to the Colombian government were declined. These demands involved a request of immunity from eradication as well as requesting for the pardoning of their increasing crimes. Frustrated by the collapse of these peace talks with the Colombian government, the AUC continued to engage in more extrajudicial killings, a factor that attracted the attention of the United States ranks (Álvarez, 2016). Under pressure from the US, in 2004, the Colombian government started treating the AUC as a terrorist organization, and it was meant with similar force like other guerilla groups such as the FARC.
Realizing that the group was increasingly under a lot of pressure, the AUC leadership entered into negotiations with the government in 2005 ranks (Álvarez, 2016). These talks saw the group agree to incorporate peace laws and legal justice mechanisms within their ranks. These new measures would ensure that the paramilitary members within their ranks would be convicted if they engaged in any form of crime. Also, the group agreed to accelerate its efforts to demobilize, with 2006 being set as the deadline ranks (Álvarez, 2016). Though these measures ensured that the groups survived the pressure from the Colombian government, some of the group members were not comfortable with these measures. As such, some members like Vicente Castaño, a key founder of the group disappeared into hiding. By 2006, the AUC had completed its demobilization efforts and the group dissolved. However, this move was criticized by most human organizations in Colombia for being too lenient and for failing to punish some of the AUC members for crimes committed. Nonetheless, 2006 marked the year that the group was officially dissolved as a paramilitary organization ranks (Álvarez, 2016).
Despite the AUC being dissolved, some reports from human rights activist and other independent groups have suggested that the AUC members have continued to carry out their activities silently. For instance, according to a 2008 report, the AUC had reemerged by attacking small businesses and private individuals within Colombia and neighboring Ecuador (Ruiz, 2009). This means that though the AUC dissolved officially, some of its members have continued to engage in terrorist activities, a factor that implies that the group is still active though in a docile state.
The Leadership Structure of the AUC
As earlier discussed, 1982 saw three brothers namely; Vicente, Fidel, and Carlos Castaño form the Las Tangas, a group that was aimed to fight the FARC with their motivation being to avenge for their father’s death under the hands of the FARC. From 1982 to 2004, Carlos Castaño, the elder of the three brothers was the group’s de facto leader in charge of both the ideological and political aspects of the AUC (Kushner, 2015). However, in 2003, Carlos Castaño was increasingly becoming disillusioned by the fact that the group was beginning to abandon its noble ideology by some of its members engaging in the illegal drug trafficking business (Kushner, 2015). As a result, some of the members within the AUC began to feel uncomfortable with Carlos Castaño stance, which they saw a security risk to their existence. As a consequence, Carlos Castaño was murdered in 2004 under the authorization of his brother Vincente Castaño, who directed the groups head of security to execute him (Kushner, 2015). This marked the end of Carlos Castaño reign, and his brother Vincente Castaño took over the leadership of the group.
Popularly known as “El Profe,” Vicente Castaño was a founder member of the AUC with his main roles being the financial aspects of the group (Kushner, 2015). As such, Vicente Castaño was responsible for allowing drug traffickers and other individuals with criminal records into the group to boost AUC finances (The Telegraph, 2008). These actions resulted in the AUC losing its initial intended objectives as it degenerated into a terrorist organization that was dreaded for its violent extrajudicial killings. Moreover, Vicente Castaño led to the murder of his brother, whom he saw as a threat to some of the members of the groups who were engaging in criminal activities such as drug trafficking (Kushner, 2015). By 2006, the Colombian government ordered for the arrest of some of the paramilitary leaders such as Vicente Castaño, a factor that resulted in him running into hiding without a trace (The Telegraph, 2008). It also marked AUC beginning to decline as a paramilitary organization.
The Ideology and Objectives of the AUC
When the Castaño brothers came together to established the AUC, the objective to fight guerrilla forces such as the FARC with their motivation being to avenge for their father’s death under the hands of the FARC (Ruiz, 2009). Also, the group aimed to ensure there was a conducive environment for their local communities to exercise their economic activities with unnecessary intimidation or harassment from these guerrilla groups (Ruiz, 2009). However, with time, the AUC leadership failed to agree on how to implement the group’s main agenda as each started to develop conflicting ideology.
On the one hand, Carlos Castaño wanted the group to hold its ideals as a protector of the people’s rights and later advance to become a political outfit that would influence the politics of its region and the country at large (The Telegraph, 2008). Though the AUC didn’t take up any serious political role in the country, the group has a significant influence on the political dynamics of Colombia. A report emerged in 2006 which linked key political figures in the country such as governors, lawmakers, members of Congress, among other public officials to have entered into different deals with the AUC (The Telegraph, 2008). Most of these deals involved the AUC protecting these individuals against different guerrilla groups operating in Colombia. As a consequence, a lot of these government officials have been tried with the majority of them being sentenced for being linked to the AUC.
On the other hand, Vicente Castaño, a co-leader of the AUC had other ideas as he was more interested with the money the group collected from drug traffickers. Leadership failure of the AUC saw Carlos Castaño murdered by his brother and co-founder, Vicente Castaño, and the group became more violent after abandoning its ideology and objectives (The Telegraph, 2008). Vicente, who was responsible for the finances of the group, started offering protection to drug traffickers, and at some point, started to grow and trade cocaine. Also, he was hugely responsible for the group’s ideology to employ extreme violence to instill fear among the guerrilla groups (The Telegraph, 2008). As such, the AUC metamorphosed into a terrorist organization which prompted the Colombian government to exert pressure that led to it being dissolved. These factors show that while the AUC’s initial ideology and objectives were noble, the group could not stick to them over time, which is one of the main reasons that contributed to its demise.
AUC’s Jurisdictions, Targets, and Tactics
AUC’s main areas of operations are in Northwest areas of Colombia, covering key towns like Antioquia, Sucre, Bolivar, and Cordoba (Pike, 2004). According to a report by InSight Crime, AUC had approximately 30, 000 solders covering nearly more than half of the country (InSight Crime, 2018). However, with increased government pressure with the help of the United States government, AUC activities have been suppressed to a small area near Colombia’s border with Ecuador and Uraba, which is close to the Panamanian border (InSight Crime, 2018.
Initially, AUC main targets were radical groups within Colombia or any of their sympathizers. This means that the group aimed trade unionist, religious leaders, human right activists, or any other individuals that sided with the guerrilla groups (Kushner, 2015). Much of its targets in the 1990s included members and supporters of the Patriotic Union (UP), which is a political party that was closely associated with the FARC (Post, 2009). However, as such, the AUC metamorphosed into a terrorist organization; its portfolio of targets changed to include government officials and rival gangs in the cocaine trade business after that contributed to Colombian government interventions (Kushner, 2015).
The AUC applied a variety of tactics to reach its targets and objectives. Among the common methods applied by this group included kidnappings, assassinations, displacements, and various forms of extortions (Kushner, 2015). The idea was to use as much force as possible to instill fear among their targeted groups, which in this case was the guerrilla groups and their sympathizers. At the time when the group’s existence was official, such violent tactics to deal with the guerrilla groups was always attributed to AUC. Unfortunately, the AUC became too violent, a factor that created a lot of uproar from local human right groups and international players like the United States government (Kushner, 2015). This meant that the AUC had to reform or dissolve as a paramilitary organization.
Conclusion
From the preceding, for decades, there have been many terrorist gangs involved in all manner of crimes within Colombia. The United Self Defense Forces of Colombia started as a paramilitary organization with most of its activities being between 1997 and 2006. The URC began 1982 with the efforts of three brothers namely; Vicente, Fidel, and Carlos Castaño forming the Las Tangas. This groups objective was to fight various guerilla groups within Colombia and avenge for their father’s death under the hands of the FARC. Carlos Castaño, the elder of the three brothers, was the group’s de facto leader in charge of both the ideological and political aspects of the AUC, while his other two brothers deputized him. The AUC applied different tactics to achieve its objectives, such as kidnappings, assassinations, displacements, and various forms of extortions. The idea was to use as much force as possible to instill fear among their targeted groups, which in this case was the guerrilla groups and their sympathizers. However, an ideological difference between the two brothers led to leadership failure of the AUC, resulting in the murder of Carlos Castaño and Vicente. Moreover, increased local and international pressure, mainly from the United States, led to the collapse of AUC. Some reports suggest that remnants of the AUC still exist in Colombia; however, their impact has been greatly reduced.
References
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