Very complete report to understand: Colombia’s New Armed Groups
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The disbanding of the paramilitary United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) between 2003 and 2006 is seen by the administration of President Alvaro Uribe as a vital step toward peace. While taking some 32,000 AUC members out of the conflict has certainly altered the landscape of violence, there is growing evidence that new armed groups are emerging that are more than the simple “criminal gangs" that the government describes. Some of them are increasingly acting as the next generation of paramilitaries, and they require a more urgent and more comprehensive response from the government.
Since early 2006, the Organization of American States (OAS) Peace Support Mission in Colombia (MAPP/OEA), human rights groups and civil society organisations have insistently warned about the rearming of demobilised paramilitary units, the continued existence of groups that did not disband because they did not participate in the government-AUC negotiations and the merging of former paramilitary elements with powerful criminal organisations, often deeply involved with drug trafficking. Worse, there is evidence that some of the new groups and criminal organisations have established business relations over drugs with elements of the insurgent Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN). At the same time, the government’s plan for reintegrating demobilised paramilitaries has revealed itself to be deeply flawed.
These alerts have to be taken seriously since conditions now exist for the continuity or re-emergence either of old-style paramilitary groups or a federation of new groups and criminal organisations based on the drug trade. The military struggles with the FARC and the smaller ELN are ongoing, and drug trafficking continues unabated. Massive illegal funds from drug trafficking help fuel the decades-long conflict, undermine reintegration of former combatants into society and foment the formation and strengthening of new armed groups, as occurred with the AUC and the FARC more than a decade ago.
These new groups do not yet have the AUC’s organisation, reach and power. Their numbers are disputed but even the lowest count, from the police and the OAS mission, of some 3,000 is disturbing, and civil society groups estimate up to triple that figure. Some of these groups, such as the New Generation Organisation (Organización Nueva Generación, ONG) in Nariño have started to operate much like the old AUC bloc in the region, including counter-insurgency operations and efforts to control territory and population so as to dominate the drug trade. Others, such as the Black Eagles in Norte de Santander, are less visible and both compete and cooperate with established criminal networks on the Venezuelan border.
The government’s response to the threat has been insufficient, limited to treating it as a law enforcement matter, mainly the responsibility of the police, who have instituted a special plan and a special “search unit" to deal with what they generically label “criminal gangs" (bandas criminales). This has not stopped the groups from spreading across the country. In some regions the security forces do not cooperate with each other and show low commitment to fight the new groups. Justice institutions, in particular the attorney general’s office, often cannot carry out investigations because they lack resources and are not helped by the security forces but also because they are intimidated. The reintegration program for ex-combatants is being restructured to overcome serious shortcomings but time is working against it.
A new, comprehensive strategy is essential if the emerging groups and criminal organisations are to be defeated. It requires combining solid intelligence and more effective law enforcement with military measures, all with full respect for human rights and complemented by improvements in how demobilised fighters are reintegrated into society, including a major, national rural infrastructure and development program. This strategy needs to concentrate initially in the regions where paramilitary domination has ended but which are targets of both the new groups and the FARC. Sustaining security in those areas depends both on permanent, effective police and military presence as well as on providing tangible economic benefits and services for the local communities.
By robi666 on Apr 29, 2008, 08:35 in Politics & the war.
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slguy says on Apr 29, 2008, 09:07:
i was prepared to be impressed by this Crises Group...until i saw that george soros sits on the board.
Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab
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Catfish35 says on Apr 29, 2008, 09:08:
Good Post ROBI,
Still the question is why? Why can't Colombia break free of any of this? It is the big question not the little answers like...because of corruption, because of drugs, etc..Other countries with much less have overcome much more...It seems to be excepted as just a way of life and that is how it is...and to me? That is sad!
"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade
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romy says on Apr 29, 2008, 09:09:
catfish- A Culture of Impunity is how it's been described academically
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Catfish35 says on Apr 29, 2008, 09:09:
For sure SL
"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade
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Catfish35 says on Apr 29, 2008, 09:12:
Interestingly Put Romy
"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade
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juancegomez says on Apr 29, 2008, 10:06:
I think there's no easy or single answer.
I'd argue that most of the impunity people have come to associate with the conflict or with the country is a relatively contemporary consequence. Why? Because the larger part of that impunity is less than 30-20 years old.
If you look at arrest or conviction rates before the 1980s, while they weren't exactly admirable and there were certainly unresolved or unopposed murders, things were actually much better in general terms. Yes, even after the mid-century "La Violencia", considering that situation had largely settled down by then.
If large amounts of impunity (not just "political" but also "common" impunity, which is actually the bigger problem statistically speaking) have been increasingly absorbed and accepted by society after two or three decades, one has to understand that it has been an evolving part of a historical process and that it has been affected by other factors.
The rise of the illegal drug trade and its consequences, for example. While it was not the source of Colombia's violence nor of its other problems, it did clearly accelerate and intensify many of them.I'd say that the current levels of impunity would have been hard to expect, let alone imagine, without it.
In short, I think culture ("of impunity" and otherwise) can and has been affected by circumstance, not just vice versa, and it can and will happen again. Whether that will be an improvement or a further degeneration of the situation is hard to tell.
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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 10:37:
I just can say something about what I observe in Magdalena and the Sierra Nevada.
I am noticing very big differences from what it was just two years ago.
In the last months, the fight against those criminals got way more intense. Just look at the news: literally everyday there are reports of new "cabecillas" captured, arms confiscated, drug seized.
Colombian legal forces are all over. On the road and in fincas.
Colonels and police chiefs, not openly suspected of collusion with the paras, changed with officers from Bogotà .
Politician, Uribe and his ministers, come visit and send message of a stronger effort in cleaning the territory.
Population, once faithful to "El Patron" Hernan Giraldo, collaborate with army, police, gaula.
For what I could notice, the raising of new groups depends on the lack of presence of the legal forces, together with high corruption of officers and politicians.
This together with an innate ability and intelligence of Colombians to develop illegal trafficking and earn money. And the strong Mafia culture, that make you feel like if you are in Sicily 30 years ago.
But if the population feels that the government is winning the battle, if they feel protected, things can really change fast. The big problem is mentality.
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 10:40:
What's wrong with George Soros slguy? You may be talking about the next President of AS Roma. Be kind.
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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slguy says on Apr 29, 2008, 10:47:
"For what I could notice, the raising of new groups depends on the lack of presence of the legal forces, together with high corruption of officers and politicians."
hasn't this ALWAYS been what spawns paras? the weak, or nonexistent, govnmnt presence? strikes me that none of this is new...only history repeating itself. resolve the FARC presence in any given area w/ strong government, and there is no vacuum into which the paras can step.
Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab
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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 10:49:
What is new, slguy, is that FARC has nothing (or much less) to do with the rise of new groups.
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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slguy says on Apr 29, 2008, 10:55:
my bad...i should have emphasized "...W/ STRONG GOVERNMENT". it was really the power vacuum i had in mind, more than FARC/no FARC. thanks for pointing out the facts better than i did, robi.
Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab
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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 29, 2008, 10:57:
The explanation is actually quite simple: nature abhors a vacuum. Any empty niche will quickly be filled. This applies to power and rule of law, too. If the state cannot fill the vacuum left by the AUC then someone else will. From Robbi666's first-hand observation it sounds like the government is putting in a good effort in that area.
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Catfish35 says on Apr 29, 2008, 15:14:
There has been deep major changes from the Colombia I visited in 1990. One thing that struck me as soon as I entered last year for the first time in many years were the "young" people in authority positions.
Everywhere I look I now you see young officers many ranking. The reason just make this one single observation is that I feel it is very important. After being in law enforcement for almost 10 years in the states, I know how important "new blood" is in any position of authority. The older men (not all) become so susceptible to corruption and crust. The complacency becomes a problem and what you have is actually too many problems to list. The void or vaccuum that you all speak of is a great comparison. I can only hope that what ROBI has observed in the recent past are the steps that are needed to get a beautiful country out of this perpetual tailspin of revolving violence after violence.
"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade
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SiV says on Apr 29, 2008, 15:19:
I'm not sure the vacuum is entirely that left by the state. There is also the vacuum created by inhaling though the nostrils, if you get my drift. . . .
Stultórum númere infinitum est.
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sloopskipper says on Apr 29, 2008, 15:42:
I'm sure I have told this story before on here, and is somewhat off topic.
So far, I have only spent five days in Colombia, and all in Cartagena.
The first day there, I received directions for a BancColumbia ATM where I could use American Express card, but couldn't find it.
I asked a young, very helpful, PolicÃa TurÃstico for directions. He said "I have a 'car', I will drive you there", and he did.
I know that Cartagena mostly a tourist area and the government probably concentrates police protection there, but I felt very safe, at all times, like in Viejo San Juan.:
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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 16:38:
Just as a curious follow up of what I wrote before, one of the Mellizos has just been killed by the Colombian police.
The two brothers are the most searched criminals in Colombia (5 millions of USD on their head), bosses of the Paracos of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.
Sloop, sorry, but I can tell you that if you do not leave here you cannot understand what's going on in reality. How you felt as a tourist in Cartagena has nothing to do with this matter.
People get kidnapped in Santa Marta every week, for 50 or 60 millions ransom, by the desmobilizados.
One guy was kidnapped today in the city market. No news in the papers of course.
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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poco says on Apr 29, 2008, 19:00:
Quote: One thing that struck me as soon as I entered last year for the first time in many years were the "young" people in authority positions.
======
Sorry,, I don't have much of a problem with the post,, but,, of course they're young,,
I think they can retire after 20 years,, start at 20,, retire at 40 with a pension and insurance,, I wonder how many have claimed disability or stress?? I know of several,, what a deal,, retirement at,,, what,, 30 or less ?
Stay in the police or military and maybe get killed,, Nope,, retire and start a business,, that's is the goal.. Not many can claim social security, pension, and health insurance when they're old.
The police still hire personnel without an university education,, but,, they will NEVER advance far, I think,, never an officer,, unless they go back to school.
"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov
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Catfish35 says on Apr 29, 2008, 19:43:
Poco,
I guess the contrast I was making and was not clear upon. I can tell you that the military officers and police officers that I have spoken to since returning to Colombia in 1990 are nowhere near what I saw back then. I was impressed by many of the military and police officers I have spoken to in Colombia. There has been a tide change. I think you accidentally hit the nail directly on the head. Do you realize that in the old days there was not much of any retirement or none. The old crooked corrupted military and police stay in their position because they made 10x what their salary was(illegally). They did not have training or diplomacy. I have to say that there is a clear concerted effort for a change in the Colombia of the past. I do however believe your wrong when you think that a young cop from Bello can come on the job put in his 20 years and retire plush with a business.
As far as I am aware that doesn't even happen all that way in the USA? Except if your a paid Firefighter!
"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade
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Robert Jorge says on Apr 29, 2008, 20:14:
Some police departments in the US pay BIG money. If the officers are frugal and wise with their investments, they do very well. Example, watch "The First 48" on A&E. The Miami cop they have on there a lot, drives a newer Porsche 911 and lives in a mansion.
--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy
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poco says on Apr 29, 2008, 20:27:
Quote: I do however believe your wrong when you think that a young cop from Bello can come on the job put in his 20 years and retire plush with a business.
===========
First of all they can't be a total ignorant loser,, yes,, there are some of those,, maybe a majority?
You are wrong,, I know toooooo many police and military. I think the retirement liquidation pay is maybe 30 Million Pesos for a regular policeman,, certainly not a university educated officer. They can invest this in a business,, actually,, they might have already started a business before retiring.
Another thought,, the Colombian pensions for professionals can EXCEED the United States Social Security Payments. Yep,, SS in US maybe,, $2,000 max? Ha,, at 65 !!!! Retire in Colombia,, pension for a professional or high ranking officer,, can exceed $3,000 USD.
Think they can't do OK? Ha,, they might buy a bus and route,, possibility two, a family member might drive one. The pensions can be quite high,, police above captain,, maybe 6 Million a month.
Many invest in stores, transportation, trucking, etc. of course you could just sit about the house and have their wife clean and cook while they watch TV.
Think I'll check with some high ranking retired police to see what they say things were like in 1990 but that will probably be a few months.
"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov
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PALEOLITICO says on Apr 29, 2008, 21:18:
Van 46.000 desmovilizados gracias a la Politica de Seguridad Democrática. Este pais estaba COMPLETAMENTE en poder de los grupos al margen de la ley antes del gobierno de Alvaro Uribe. Aún queda mucho trabajo por hacer debido a los nuevos grupos que han surgido. Pero gracias a Dios en el poder está alguien con la voluntad para enfrentarlos . Sino dónde estariamos ya??
"Se debe persistir y persistir" como dice Uribe. Porque todas estas politicas están apenas comenzando. Seguramente se demorarán varios años en dar su fruto verdadero.
"Amar a las personas y usar las cosas; y no amar a las cosas y usar a las personas"
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sloopskipper says on Apr 30, 2008, 07:47:
robi666 says on Tuesday April 29th, 2008 16:38:
"Sloop, sorry, but I can tell you that if you do not leave (you mean live here, or leave there?) here you cannot understand what's going on in reality. How you felt as a tourist in Cartagena has nothing to do with this matter."
Whichever you meant, I probably understand and that is why I have taken a cautious approach to considering a move to Colombia. I did not want to repeat the mistake I made in coming to Panamá. I had intended to make a second, longer, visit by now.
I didn't realize that those problems existed in Santa Marta. I know I can't really judge, but I have very little interest in Medellin, or the other cities, other than a visit, to experience the culture. For me, the tranistion from tourist to resident was an enjoyable experience in Viejo San Juan (although not totally without some frustrations)
My enthusiasm was somewhat dampened by the problems with Chávez and Correa, and it seems most new things I learn are disappointing and frustrating, not to mention the increasingly unfavorable exchange rate. From here, it seems like a more difficult life.
But, the bottom line? Who knows?
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robi666 says on Apr 30, 2008, 08:01:
Sloop,
Yes "live"... :)
There are ups and downs living anywhere, I guess.
Why do you say that you made a mistake with Panama?
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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tomtom33 says on Apr 30, 2008, 08:11:
If you are considering Cartagena, Sloop, I doubt that you would be affected by many safety problems. In my 4 years there, I became probably too complacent about my safety. Of course I rarely left the tourist zone.
In wild and woolly MedellÃn living just a few blocks from the infamous Comuna 13, I do not get complacent. Hell, no place is perfect.
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sloopskipper says on Apr 30, 2008, 08:13:
For me is a very boring and ugly place with easily 20-30X the dirty and noisy construction, I saw in Cartagena, and a very fragile infrastructure.
I came for a week, stayed two, and bought an apartment, because I found San Juan was becoming too expensive. I spent those two weeks looking at real estate, ignoring the cityscape, which I now find dreadful.
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sloopskipper says on Apr 30, 2008, 08:18:
tomtom33, I am often also "too complacent about my safety".
In San Juan, I also rarely left the old city, as I had almost everything I needed: a little supermarket, bank, 2 farmacias, hardware store, Radio Shack, and MARSHALL's. jaja
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robi666 says on Apr 30, 2008, 08:19:
Well, I was in Panama city for a couple days and I did not like it a bit.
But I cannot really tell; it is like getting to Bogotà and judging the whole country on it...
I think there are better places to live than Bogotà or Cartagena, but, like said, any place has its down side.
Next thing I want to see of Panama, is the San Blas Islands. ;)
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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kalder says on Apr 30, 2008, 08:20:
A pension exceeding $3000US? How high ranking would a cop have to be to get that?
"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon
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sloopskipper says on Apr 30, 2008, 08:28:
JAJA, you had better look to the prices before you plan a trip to those islands! That was a place I really wanted to see. But, at least on the internet, the prices were $100-400, per night PER PERSON! And that was nearly two years ago. Hell, I could get cheaper in Monaco or on the French Riviera.
Some Panamanians told me, "Oh there are cheaper places", but I never got any information. That was one of my frustrations.
There is no beach in the city (more than an hour's drive) and the bay is polluted with shit & toilet paper, but I KNEW THAT. Somehow I stupidly managed to minimize the importance.
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robi666 says on Apr 30, 2008, 08:46:
Well, best way is to sail there...
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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sloopskipper says on Apr 30, 2008, 09:05:
Sure, and live aboard!
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Catfish35 says on May 1, 2008, 23:43:
Sounds like you have talked to an entirely different Military and Police than I have there POCO.
None of the people I have spoken to have related anything close to what you have told me.
And you speak of 30 million pesos as if this was a lot of money.
Anyway, I cannot give you exact figures like you have about the pensions of retired Colombian Military and Police. I cannot see them being any different than any of the other Public Servant jobs in respect to retirement in Central or South America, but if you know some 40 year old retired cop there living the lap of luxury from his pension, good for them!
"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade
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kalder says on May 2, 2008, 00:43:
Catfish- in your opinion, what sort of pension would a mid-ranking police/military officer get in Colombia?
"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon
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Mr. Hollywood says on May 2, 2008, 08:43:
With regard to the military and police retirements, that seems entirely in line with the same situation with Military and (in some places) cops in the US. Every US military branch allows retirement with FULL PAY and BENeFITS after 20 years. That means someone who makes Colonel at 45 can retire making about $100,000 per year in salary and benefits for the rest of their life. Most of those go on to second and third careers. I'll venture a number of the folks on this board have some first hand experience with exactly that.
Personally, I think people who are willing to put their asses on the firing line deserve a good exit package, and I don't begrudge them a bit, whether they're Colombian or American.
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Mr. Hollywood says on May 2, 2008, 17:57:
Thanks for the correction, Tom.
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billyb says on May 2, 2008, 18:07:
The other mellizo has also been captured, and as they were the biggest promoters of the emerging para groups, that is great news. Specially good when you add it to the recent demise of Varela in Venezuela and the captures of Don Diego in El valle and Chupeta in Brazil. The only problem with bringing down the big capos is that there are 10 ready to battle each other to take his place, on the pasitive side though, these little wars usually end up with a couple of hundred of these scumbags dead.
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robi666 says on May 2, 2008, 18:28:
Yes, Billy, Los Nevados was no doubt the most organized and dangerous group.
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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juancegomez says on May 2, 2008, 18:30:
The question would be if the group(s) can still survive, regardless of the loss of the two "Mellizos".
Their subordinates may not want to retire so soon, after all...so I think billyb's onto something there, as far as the "little wars" are concerned.
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billyb says on May 2, 2008, 18:32:
Speaking of the Nevados, the seocond in command of that group, after one of the mellizos, also was captured a couple of weeks ago, is there a connection between that and the millizos' downfall?
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robi666 says on May 2, 2008, 18:35:
Juance, a group is a group as long as there are someone to pay the "soldier". In this case, the two brothers were doing it. Do not forget that Los Nevados was organized mainly to protect the two bosses.
What I can say, it is that the legal forces did not only get the two Mellizos, but a numerous numbers of mandos medios, like Chaparro, just a few days ago.
So, what's the more likely danger with it? Again, the problem will be all those guys out of "job", new desmobilizados, mugging and kidnapping in their town.
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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robi666 says on May 2, 2008, 18:37:
Billyb, many "mandos medios" went arrested in the last months. Like many loads of cocaine and arms were confiscated.
It is a great effort by the government side.
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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juancegomez says on May 2, 2008, 18:46:
robi666: I understand your point, but you know that even if the two main sponsors are out of the game, they may have rivals or subordinates that may (or may not) have less money, individually, but could still finance at least some continuation of their activities.
Even if many of the "mandos medios" are out of the game, which is a good thing, I don't believe all of them are, or that there aren't rival organizations willing to try and pick up the slack, imperfectly or otherwise.
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robi666 says on May 2, 2008, 18:51:
Of course, you're right too, Juance.
The only hope is that the legal forces will go on maintaining high their level of attention.
Let's not forget that a big role is played by the population. Those success make the people have faith in the State, and break the wall of omertà around Mafia.
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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billyb says on May 3, 2008, 23:41:
JUDICIAL
¡Moñona!
En menos de 48 horas la PolicÃa desarticuló la organización de los 'Mellizos', uno de los imperios de narcotráfico más poderosos del paÃs.
Fecha: 05/03/2008 -1357
"Aquà hay unos narcotraficantes, los 'Mellizos' MejÃa Múnera, haciendo daño en este departamento (Magdalena), en Cesar, en La Guajira, en Santander. Por favor, hay que derrotarlos. ¡Qué buena noticia le darÃamos al paÃs poniendo presos a los narcotraficantes MejÃa Múnera, que tanto daño hacen!". Estas palabras fueron pronunciadas por el presidente Ã?lvaro Uribe el pasado 5 de abril en Ciénaga, Magdalena, durante un consejo comunal. Tres semanas después, sus órdenes fueron cumplidas. VÃctor Manuel MejÃa Múnera, alias 'Pablo Arauca', murió en un enfrentamiento con la PolicÃa en zona rural del municipio de Tarazá, Antioquia, y su hermano Miguel Ã?ngel fue capturado cerca de Honda, Tolima, por la Dirección de Investigación Criminal (DijÃn). Sin duda se trata del golpe más rápido en muchos años contra una organización de narcotraficantes.
La operación que terminó con la muerte y la captura de los 'Mellizos' fue una estrategia diseñada por el director de la PolicÃa, general Óscar Naranjo, quien ordenó conformar un grupo especial liderado por el coronel César Pinzón, director de la DijÃn. Desde hacÃa varios meses, miembros del Grupo de Operaciones Especiales (Goes) habÃan emprendido una ofensiva sin precedentes. Por lo menos en cinco oportunidades estuvieron muy cerca de capturar a VÃctor Manuel. En diciembre pasado se escapó en un corregimiento del departamento de Magdalena y buscó refugio entre Cesar y Norte de Santander. Luego el capo logró 'contaminar' a un oficial de la PolicÃa de Cesar y en una carretera del municipio del Copey emprendió la fuga en una camioneta al percatarse de la presencia de los hombres de la DijÃn.
La ofensiva de la PolicÃa no fue sólo contra los dos hermanos MejÃa Múnera, también estuvo dirigida a desmantelar su organización. Tan sólo entre enero y abril de este año fueron arrestados más de 100 de sus hombres en la Costa Atlántica. Esta estructura mafiosa de los dos capos, conocida como 'Los Nevados', estaba integrada por paramilitares y bandas asociadas a los carteles de la droga del norte del Valle y Urabá. HabÃan sembrado el terror en la costa norte, controlaban las rutas del narcotráfico y desencadenaron violentas vendettas en la zona.
Miguel Ã?ngel MejÃa pretendió escapar de la DijÃn escondiéndose en esta caleta en el interior de una tractomula El director de la PolicÃa, general Óscar Naranjo; el Ministro de Defensa, Juan Manuel Santos, y el director de la DijÃn se anotaron un ‘hit’ al darle un duro golpe al corazón de la mafia
PUBLICIDAD
La 'cacerÃa' obligó a los 'Mellizos' a desplazarse y buscar refugio en el Magdalena Medio. Pero no contaban los capos con que las lealtades en el mundo de la mafia ya no existen. Varios de sus hombres capturados decidieron cooperar con los investigadores de la DijÃn. Uno de ellos les dio las coordenadas en donde se refugiaba VÃctor. Se trataba de un corregimiento cerca de Tarazá, Antioquia. Les explicó que el capo se movÃa permanentemente entre tres sencillas casas a las que se tenÃa acceso sólo por trochas. También les dijo que acostumbraba levantarse entre las 2 y los 3 de la mañana y se internaba en zonas boscosas en donde dormÃa en hamacas o cambuches para evitar ser sorprendido al amanecer. Con esta información los uniformados decidieron redefinir su estrategia.
Optaron por enviar sólo un grupo de 10 hombres del Goes que descendieron de un helicóptero a 11 kilómetros del corregimiento. Para evitar ser detectados por los anillos de informantes del capo, los policÃas se movieron de noche y por las dificultades del terreno tardaron seis dÃas en llegar hasta el sitio donde estaba el narcotraficante. Durante varias horas observaron los movimientos de tres hombres alrededor de una sencilla finca. Sólo a las 5:30 de la tarde vieron llegar a VÃctor montado a lomo de mula. Los hombres del Goes recibieron entonces la orden del coronel Pinzón de entrar a la finca, pero fueron recibidos a bala. Los dos francotiradores del grupo dieron de baja a los tres escoltas y al capo.
La noticia de la muerte del más sanguinario de los MejÃa Múnera aún acaparaba los titulares de la prensa nacional e internacional cuando, sorpresivamente la PolicÃa dio un nuevo golpe. No habÃan transcurrido 72 horas cuando fue capturado Miguel Ã?ngel, el otro mellizo. Mientras el cadáver de su hermano VÃctor era velado, él intentaba cruzar el Magdalena Medio camuflado en una caleta dentro de la cabina de una tractomula. La información de quienes estaban cooperando con la DijÃn era precisa: entregaron las caracterÃsticas del vehÃculo, la hora y la ruta por la que se desplazarÃa. Los datos eran exactos. Gracias a esto la PolicÃa siguió durante varias horas el camión que habÃa salido desde Puerto BerrÃo y se dirigÃa hacia Honda, Tolima. A la una de la mañana del viernes pasado decidieron detener el vehÃculo. Los policÃas le ordenaron al conductor apagar el motor. Después de hora y media de registrar minuciosamente la tractomula no encontraban al capo. Sin embargo, los nervios del conductor y el flojo argumento que tenÃa que encender de nuevo el vehÃculo para evitar que se descargara la baterÃa hizo elevar las sospechas de que Miguel Ã?ngel estaba en alguna parte del camión. Frente a la presión de los uniformados, el conductor decidió colaborar y entregó el dispositivo con el que se abrió la puerta de una pequeña caleta. El capo estaba de pie. "Lo primero que hizo fue preguntar quién estaba al mando de la operación. Me le presenté y me dijo: 'usted ganó'. Un rato después de haberlo esposado, me dijo, 'coronel le voy a hacer un regalo', y me entregó una llave maestra que tenÃa para abrir esposas en caso de ser retenido", contó el coronel Pinzón. Al narcotraficante se le halló un arma automática que, según el ministro de Defensa, Juan Manuel Santos, es una sofisticada pistola de polÃmero hecha en Bélgica.
El Ministro dijo que el mellizo MejÃa confirmó la muerte de Vicente Castaño y que habÃa sido el ex jefe de las AUC quien los habÃa convencido a él, a su hermano y a Éver Veloza, alias 'H.H.', de que se salieran del proceso de Justicia y Paz. "Ese proceso de Justicia y Paz no sirve para nada y fue la Iglesia la que nos metió en todo esto", le dijo el capo al canal RCN minutos antes de ser trasladado desde la base antinarcóticos de la PolicÃa en Mariquita, Tolima, hacia Bogotá. Aún nadie sabe con certeza cuál será la suerte que le espera al capo. El gobierno afirma que será extraditado. Pero su abogado, Gustavo Salazar, dijo a SEMANA que "esa decisión no puede ser efectiva hasta tanto un juez de la República determine si MejÃa Múnera goza aún de los beneficios de la Ley de Justicia y Paz".
Independientemente de la suerte que le espera, lo cierto es que las dos operaciones que terminaron con la muerte y la captura de los MejÃa Múnera representan uno de los golpes más contundentes que se le han dado a la mafia en los últimos años. Al fin y al cabo, se trataba de una de las organizaciones más antiguas y poderosas del narcotráfico.
Una vida de crimen
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billyb says on May 3, 2008, 23:49:
You have to be somewhat moronic or have a serious anti-colombia complex to not appreciate the proogress being made against the traditional mafia, and the emerging para groups. I won't even mention the progress made against the FARC, as that seems to upset some of our more distinguished posters (which i will not mention by name, such as the ever pitifull buggy or our somewhat more confused Romy).
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billyb says on May 4, 2008, 00:03:
"La 'cacerÃa' obligó a los 'Mellizos' a desplazarse y buscar refugio en el Magdalena Medio. Pero no contaban los capos con que las lealtades en el mundo de la mafia ya no existen"
isn't that the truth? And it seems it also doesn't exist in the FARC either.
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billyb says on May 4, 2008, 00:06:
" Varios de sus hombres capturados decidieron cooperar con los investigadores de la DijÃn. Uno de ellos les dio las coordenadas en donde se refugiaba VÃctor."
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romy says on May 4, 2008, 01:45:
"or our somewhat more confused Romy"
what am I confused about? please enlighten me... or keep cheerleading it's up to you.
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robi666 says on May 4, 2008, 01:51:
"You have to be somewhat moronic or have a serious anti-colombia complex to not appreciate the proogress being made against the traditional mafia, and the emerging para groups."
I told in this thread just BEFORE the dead of the first one that I was noticing very big differences from what it was just two years ago.
I keep myself pretty informed about the whole story, because my finca is just in the middle of the main stage. So I just know everything first hand from people living there and from seing it.
At the end of 2007, the situation was pretty clear. Los Nevados were completely in power. Then Uribe declared that the Sierra Nevada was getting an example of "Seguridad Democratica" for 2008. Zero tolerance.
If it is mainly because of the international image of Parque Tayrona, it can be one of the explanation, but it was a very effective war.
ABSOLUTELY impressive. Que Viva Colombia!
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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romy says on May 4, 2008, 02:18:
robi- from your impression, is your finca safer now with the military or before with the paras?
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robi666 says on May 4, 2008, 02:23:
Another fact that is not so well understood here on PBH:
la politica de Seguridad Democratica is the very first step for the improvement of the life condition of the people.
I was just called today to be informed.
In front of my finca, just like some PBHers know, there's one of the most beautiful stretch of beaches of the Caribbean. The entire area, from Parque Tayrona to Palomino, can be easily considered one of the most beautiful area of the world, surely the only one where you have from 0 to 6000 meters on the sea level in within 50 kms.
When first I got there I thought it was absolutely crazy that in a place like that people had no work and problems to merely survive. Where in the world?
Well, today, three days after the fall of the para group, one pretty important company and owner of a good area on the beach, is beginning the inspection to organize something there.
The presence of their people is a sign of something, no doubts. We'll see...
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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robi666 says on May 4, 2008, 02:27:
romy, would you feel safer with a bunch of thugs for neighbours or a military squad around?
Two problems now:
1) Keep the state presence in the zone, military and political.
2) Give the people a legal way to earn their life.
But number 2 necessarily follows number 1. And number 1 is what missed after the demobilization of Bloque Tayrona and Bloque Norte in 2006.
But, after two years, I guess Uribe got the message and reviewed his strategy...
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."
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romy says on May 5, 2008, 19:10:
I guess the moral of the story is that whatever you want to call them, these thugs are counter-productive to the country.
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/421429
Criminal gangs rise from ashes of militias
Demobilized fighters in Colombia turn into drug traffickers, killers
May 05, 2008 04:30 AM
Chris Kraul
LOS ANGELES TIMES
SANTA ROSA, Colombia–In the end, getting his picture taken with U.S. President George W. Bush and attaining a bit of local fame was no help. In fact, his high profile may have been the death of Miguel Daza.
The young farmer was killed in a roadside ambush in February near this mining and drug-trafficking hub in north-central Colombia, apparently by one of a new generation of criminal gangs that have emerged in the two years since right-wing paramilitary fighters officially disbanded.
The status of paramilitary fighters has serious ramifications for President Alvaro Uribe, a conservative U.S. ally who famously broke up the destabilizing militias. His presidency has been challenged by revelations many of his closest allies were tied to the right-wing gunmen.
Paramilitary groups, formed to defend farmers against the country's leftist rebels, turned to drug trafficking and other criminal activities, including extortion and mass killings, prosecutors say.
The new gangs are more dispersed and lack the hierarchy of their predecessors. They have formed alliances with leftist rebels to manufacture and transport drugs, once anathema to the fighters.
The Uribe government prefers the term "emerging gangs" because it conforms with its position that paramilitarism is a thing of the past.
But critics say the groups are wreaking the same havoc and committing the same crimes. The government is merely "putting a new name on the same old phenomenon," said Senator Gustavo Petro.
Authorities theorize that the Black Eagles killed Daza, 37, because he had become what drug-trafficking outlaws fear most: a rising community leader who convinced 250 poor farmers of a better alternative to growing coca.
A former coca grower, Daza backed eradication, describing coca as a "curse that must be driven from the heart of the pueblo."
"They killed him because he created a social order that went counter to what narco-traffickers need: social upheaval, secrecy and a submissive society," said Leon Valencia, director of New Rainbow Corp., a peace advocacy organization.
The force behind planting 1,000 hectares of cacao where coca once grew, Daza helped found the Cacao Producers Association of Southern Bolivar, which received international development funds.
"He changed people's thinking," said Elias Bermudez, a convert. "It wasn't easy because coca grows fast and there is always a market. But Miguel made us conscious that there was another way."Gen. Jose Roberto Leon of the Colombian National Police speaks of 23 "emerging gangs" with 2,200 fighters, a fraction of the demobilized paramilitary groups. Peace advocacy groups such as the International Crisis Group and Indepaz say the number is twice that.
Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos said the government has brought the gangs to heel, killing 800 fighters and capturing 2,300 over the last two years. In recent days, anti-narcotics police killed Victor Manuel Mejia Munera and captured his brother Miguel, who led the so-called Twins narco-paramilitary gang. The U.S. government had placed bounties of as much as $5 million on each.
Like the paramilitary units, some gangs seem to work hand in hand with corrupt army units, said Mark Schneider of the International Crisis Group.
Last month, investigators arrested seven army officers on suspicion of complicity with Los Paisas, a paramilitary group. Frustrated by a lack of jobs, hundreds of demobilized paramilitary fighters are joining the new criminal groups. The government estimates 25 per cent of gang members captured or killed in the last two years were demobilized fighters, Schneider said.
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