United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia

United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia
United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia logo
Active	April 1997 – 2006 / 2008 (nationally)
Country	Colombia
Type	Private army
Role	Anti-communism Anti-tank warfare Artillery observer Clandestine operation Close-quarters combat Counter-revolutionary Covert operation Guerrilla warfare HUMINT Indirect fire Illegal drug trade Interrogational torture Irregular warfare Jungle warfare Kidnapping Manhunt Raiding Reconnaissance Tracking Urban warfare Vigilantism
Nickname(s)	Paramilitaries, Paras, Paracos
Equipment	Firearm Mortar RPG
Engagements	Colombian conflict[1]
Commanders
Notable commanders	Carlos Castaño † Vicente Castaño Miguel Arroyave a.k.a. Arcángel † Diego Murillo Bejarano Salvatore Mancuso Rodrigo Tovar Pupo a.k.a. Jorge 40 Ernesto Báez † Ramón Isaza Freddy Rendón a.k.a. El Alemán Julián Bolívar Javier Montañez a.k.a. Macaco Luis Eduardo Cifuentes a.k.a. El Águila Francisco Javier Zuluaga a.k.a. Gordo Lindo Víctor Manuel Mejía Múnera a.k.a. El Mellizo † Pedro Oliverio Guerrero a.k.a. Cuchillo † Miguel Ángel Mejía Múnera a.k.a. El Mellizo Héctor Germán Buitrago a.k.a. Martín Llanos
Insignia
Identification symbol	Initials AUC
Identification symbol	Identifying armbands, frequently black ones

The United Self-Defenders of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, or AUC, in Spanish) were a Colombian far-right paramilitary and drug trafficking group which was an active belligerent in the Colombian armed conflict during the period from 1997 to 2006. The AUC was responsible for retaliations against the FARC and ELN communist organization as well as numerous attacks against civilians beginning in 1997 with the Mapiripán massacre.^[1]

The militia had its roots in the 1980s when militias were established by drug lords to combat rebel kidnappings and extortion by communist guerrillas.^[2] In April 1997 the AUC was formed through a merger, orchestrated by the ACCU, of local right-wing militias,^[1] each intending to protect different local economic, social and political interests by fighting left-wing insurgents in their areas.^[3]

The organization was believed to have links to some local military commanders in the Colombian Armed Forces.^[1][4] According to Human Rights Watch, the paramilitary groups and the armed forces of Colombia share a very close connection and due to which paramilitary groups are also perceived as an extension, more commonly called sixth-division, of the Colombia's armed forces which has five official divisions.^[5][6]

The AUC had about 20,000 members and was heavily financed through the drug trade^[3] and through support from local landowners, cattle ranchers, mining or petroleum companies, and other companies such as Chiquita Brands International, and politicians.^[7]

The Colombian military has been accused of delegating to AUC paramilitaries the task of murdering peasants and labor union leaders, amongst others suspected of supporting the rebel movements^[7] and the AUC publicly and explicitly singled out 'political and trade union operatives of the extreme left' as legitimate targets.^[1] Powerful links to the Colombian government were never proved. The AUC was designated as a terrorist organization by many countries and organizations, including the United States, Canada and the European Union.^[8]

The bulk of the AUC's blocs demobilized by early 2006 and its former top leadership was extradited to the U.S. in 2008. However, local successors such as the Black Eagles continue to exist and death threats have been made using its name. On May 8, 2008, employees of a community radio station (Sarare FM Stereo) received a message stating: "For the wellbeing of you and your loved ones, do not meddle in subjects that do not concern the radio station. AUC, Arauca". A few days later the letters AUC were daubed on the front of their office. This threat was made due to their participation in a public meeting attended by members of a Congressional Human Rights Commission on the 27 September 2007. Here, members of the public denounced human rights abuses committed in Arauca Department by different parties to the armed conflict, including the AUC.^[9]