Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia
| Center of Gravity | |||
 | Scope | National | |
| Goal | Paramilitary opposition to leftist guerilla groups, drug trafficking1 | ||
 | Supporters | 10,0001 | |
| Alias(es) | United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, AUC | |
| Formed | 1997 | ||
| Narrative and Notes (Reliable) | Formed as umbrella group for paramilitaries fighting FARC and other leftists. AUC is 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. Demobilizing since 2003, reducing violence but also causing large numbers of fighters to join criminal organizations.1 | |
Sources and Notes | |||
| 1U.S. State Department. 'Country Reports on Terrorism.' 2005. | |||
| Key to bullets High confidence | |||
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| Page maintained by John Lumpkin | |||
| Click here for a disclaimer and detailed explanation of the confidence ratings. | |||
