Narrative
Narrative of the Organization's History
Narrative of the Organization's History
Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations
Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics
First Attacks, Largest Attacks, Notable Attacks
Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences
Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time in regional maps
The Castaño brothers established the AUC to combat guerrilla forces, particularly the FARC and the ELN, and protect economic interests of its sponsors: the local community, elites and, later, drug traffickers.[33] Some members of the AUC, such as Carlos Castaño wanted political influence and status as a political actor but this conflicted with continuation of the violent conflict, which was preferred by many AUC members including co-leader Vicente Castaño.[34]
While the AUC was never directly involved in Colombian politics, the group greatly affected the political dynamic in the country. In 2006, reports began to surface alleging that over 11,000 governors, congressman, lawmakers, and other public officials in Colombia made pacts with the AUC in return for protection against guerrilla groups; this relationship has been called the Parapolitics scandal.[35] Since then, over 100 members of Congress have been investigated and dozens tried and sentenced.[36]
The AUC targeted left wing insurgents, left wing activists, indigenous persons, trade unionists, human rights advocates, religious leaders, and rural populations they believed to be collaborating with or supporting guerrillas.[37] In the 1990s, the AUC also targeted members of the Patriotic Union (UP), a political party founded by the FARC and the Colombian Communist Party.
The AUC’s tactics include displacement, kidnapping, extortion, massacres and assassinations. Tens of thousands of attacks involving these tactics were attributed to the AUC during its official existence.[38] The AUC’s tactics were aimed at instilling fear in anyone who had ties to guerrillas.[39]
During peace negotiations, AUC members confessed their illicit tactics in exchange for lesser jail sentences.[40]
Disclaimer: These are some selected major attacks in the militant organization's history. It is not a comprehensive listing but captures some of the most famous attacks or turning points during the campaign.
January 1999: The AUC attacked six different regions in Colombia and killed suspected FARC sympathizers. This attack was motivated by the FARC’s attack on AUC headquarters the month prior. (150 killed, unknown wounded)[41]
February 17, 2000: Three hundred AUC members, guided by captured FARC guerrillas, entered the town of El Solado, where there were, supposedly, FARC sympathizers. The AUC killed thirty-eight in Solado and another 28 in the surrounding area. (66 killed, unknown wounded).[42]
October 3, 2000: AUC members went from home to home in the town of Vijes, killing specific targets, including the town police inspector. (9 killed, 0 wounded).[43]
December 3, 2001: The AUC killed farmers in Curumana who they suspected were working with the FARC. (22 killed, unknown wounded).[44]
January 18, 2003: The AUC attacked a province on the Colombia-Panama border. They believed community members assisted the FARC, and therefore, the AUC tortured and killed four indigenous Kuna leaders. The AUC also planted landmines and took the community’s food, displacing 400 adults and 200 children. (4 killed, unknown wounded).[45]
April 16, 2004: The AUC’s main leader, Carlos Castaño, was mysteriously killed in a gunfight. Carlos’ brother, Vicente, allegedly ordered the AUC’s head of security to kill Carlos but some speculate the Uribe administration killed him. Carlos Castaño’s remains were found in August 2006. (1 killed, 0 wounded)[46]
The AUC operated by instilling fear in communities and, many times, attacked communities simply because AUC leaders believed community members sympathized with the FARC, ELN, and other leftist groups. AUC attacks displaced entire communities and forced hundreds to leave their homes.[49] Nevertheless, throughout its existence, the AUC consistently received support from elites, drug traffickers, and politicians who sought protection from guerrilla groups.[50]
The AUC’s two main rivals were the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), both leftist guerrilla groups that fought, originally, to take power in Colombia using tactics including kidnapping, extortion, assassinations and massacres to further their mission.
The AUC was created to combat guerrilla groups, including the FARC, and to eliminate FARC presence in the country, and therefore, directly attacked FARC members and any suspected FARC supporters. The drug trade also contributed to competition between the two. Following the disbanding of the Cali and Medellin Cartels, competition between the AUC and the FARC developed for control over the drug trade.[51] The AUC and the FARC reportedly began to work together in the drug trade in the mid-2000s.[52]
Similarly, the AUC attacked suspected ELN sympathizers in addition to targeting ELN controlled areas.[53] At the end of the 1990s, the FARC seized ELN territory and, in doing so, weakened the guerrilla group’s presence and presented an obstacle to the ELN’s peace negotiations with the government in 2002.[54]
During and following the AUC’s reported demobilization, many splinter groups were created, the most prominent being Bandas Criminales (BACRIM). These groups, which operate today, include former AUC members and some still claim to be AUC fighters. BACRIM is only involved in illicit activity and is dedicated to activities including drug trafficking and attacking civilians, activists, and community leaders.[55]
The AUC reportedly never received external aid or funding but has carefully avoided attacks that affect United States personnel or interests to not disturb the relatively positive relationship between the United States and the Colombian government.[56]
[1] Rabasa, Angel, and Peter Chalk. Colombian Labyrinth: The Synergy of Drugs and Insurgency and Its Implications for Regional Stability. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 2001. Print
[2] Martin, Gus, and Harvey W. Kushner. The Sage Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2011. Print; “(United Self Defense Unites of Colombia (AUC))” Global Terrorism Database. National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. N.d. Web. 10 August 2015. http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/Results.aspx?perpetrator=20465
[3] “AUC.” InSight Crime. N.p. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/auc-profile
[4] “The guerrilla groups in Colombia.” United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. United Nations. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.unric.org/en/colombia/27013-the-guerrilla-groups-in-colombia
[5] “Revealed: The secrets of Colombia’s murderous Castaño brothers.” The Telegraph. 7 November 2008. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/3391789/...
[6] Kushner, Harvey W. Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2003. Print.
[7] Chalk, Peter. Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print; Rabasa, Angel, and Peter Chalk. Colombian Labyrinth: The Synergy of Drugs and Insurgency and Its Implications for Regional Stability. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 2001. Print.
[8] Martin, Gus, and Harvey W. Kushner. The Sage Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2011. Print.
[9] Rabasa, Angel, and Peter Chalk. Colombian Labyrinth: The Synergy of Drugs and Insurgency and Its Implications for Regional Stability. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 2001. Print; Rabasa, Angel, and Peter Chalk. Colombian Labyrinth: The Synergy of Drugs and Insurgency and Its Implications for Regional Stability. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 2001. Print.
[10] Chalk, Peter. Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print; Trent, Caitlin. “AUC.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 5 December 2012. Web. 4 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/auc/
[11] “The guerrilla groups in Colombia.” United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. United Nations. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.unric.org/en/colombia/27013-the-guerrilla-groups-in-colombia; “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm
[12] Chalk, Peter. Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print.
[13] “AUC.” InSight Crime. N.p. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/auc-profile; “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm; Cynthia J. Arnson. “The Peace Process in Colombia with the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia – AUC.” The Wilson Centre.N.p. 2005. Web. 12 August 2004. http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/PeaceProcColAUC1.pdf
[14] “AUC.” InSight Crime. N.p. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/auc-profile; “Colombia: Uribe in the Corner over AUC Disarmament?” Stratfor. 8 March 2004. Web. 4 August 2015. https://www.stratfor.com/sample/analysis/colombia-uribe-corner-over-auc-disarmament
[15] “Colombia: Uribe in the Corner over AUC Disarmament?” Stratfor. 8 March 2004. Web. 4 August 2015. https://www.stratfor.com/sample/analysis/colombia-uribe-corner-over-auc-...
[16] Chalk, Peter. Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print.
[17] Chalk, Peter. Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print; “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm
[18] Martin, Gus, and Harvey W. Kushner. The Sage Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2011. Print; “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm
[19] “Introduction to Colombia.” Justice for Colombia. N.p. N.d. Web. 4 August 2015. http://www.justiceforcolombia.org/about-colombia/
[20] Tatone, Michael. “AUC Leaders To Be Freed.” InSight Crime. N.p. 08 May 2013. Web. 03 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/auc-leaders-could-soon-be-freed-under-terms-of-colombia-peace-agreement
[21] “Revealed: The secrets of Colombia’s murderous Castaño brothers.” The Telegraph. 7 November 2008. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/3391789/...
[22] Trent, Caitlin. “AUC.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 5 December 2012. Web. 4 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/auc/; “Revealed: The secrets of Colombia’s murderous Castaño brothers.” The Telegraph. 7 November 2008. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/3391789/Revealed-The-secrets-of-Colombias-murderous-Castano-brothers.html; Vicente Castaño se Suicidó, afirma el narco Daniel Rendón Herrera, alias ‘don Mario.’” EL TIEMPO. N.p. 2 December 2009. Web. 17 August 2015. http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-6725007.
[23] “Forty Years of Conflict.” Center for Justice and Accountablility. N.p. N.d. Web. 4 August 2015. http://www.cja.org/article.php?list=type&type=400
[24] “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm
[25] “AUC.” InSight Crime. N.p. N.d. Web. 14 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/auc-profile
[26] “Incident Summary.” Global Terrorism Database. University of Maryland. June 2015. Web. 14 August 2015. http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=200811020012
[27] “Introduction to Colombia.” Justice for Colombia. N.p. N.d. Web. 4 August 2015. http://www.justiceforcolombia.org/about-colombia/
[28] Trent, Caitlin. “AUC.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 5 December 2012. Web. 4 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/auc/
[29] Chalk, Peter. Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print.
[30] “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm; “The guerrilla groups in Colombia.” United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. United Nations. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.unric.org/en/colombia/27013-the-guerrilla-groups-in-colombia
[31] “AUC.” InSight Crime. N.p. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/auc-profile
[32] Martin, Gus, and Harvey W. Kushner. The Sage Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2011. Print.
[33] “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm; “The guerrilla groups in Colombia.” United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. United Nations. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.unric.org/en/colombia/27013-the-guerrilla-groups-in-colombia
[34] Rabasa, Angel, and Peter Chalk. Colombian Labyrinth: The Synergy of Drugs and Insurgency and Its Implications for Regional Stability. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 2001. Print.
[35] Trent, Caitlin. “AUC.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 5 December 2012. Web. 2 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/auc/; Alsema, Adriaan. “Parapolitics Scandal.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 5 July 2012. Web. 17 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/parapolitics/
[36] Leech, Garry. “Bush Continues to Support Colombia’s Para-State.” Colombia Journal. N.p. 5 March 2007. Web. 2 August 2015. http://colombiajournal.org/bush-continues-to-support-colombia-para-state.htm; Trent, Caitlin. “AUC.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 5 December 2012. Web. 2 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/auc/; Pachico, Elyssa. “Ties Binding Crime to Politics in Colombia May Weaken.” InSight Crime. 1 August 2011. Web. 17 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/news-analysis/report-links-between-crime-and...
[37] “AUC.” InSight Crime. N.p. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/auc-profile; “Profiles: Colombia’s armed groups.” BBC Latin America & Caribbean. BBC News. 29 August 2013. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-11400950; “Forty Years of Conflict.” Center for Justice and Accountablility. N.p. N.d. Web. 4 August 2015. http://www.cja.org/article.php?list=type&type=400
[38] Trent, Caitlin. “AUC.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 5 December 2012. Web. 4 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/auc
[39] “Revealed: The secrets of Colombia’s murderous Castaño brothers.” The Telegraph. 7 November 2008. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/3391789/...
[40] Chalk, Peter. Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print.
[41] Rabasa, Angel, and Peter Chalk. Colombian Labyrinth: The Synergy of Drugs and Insurgency and Its Implications for Regional Stability. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 2001. Print.
[42] “Revealed: The secrets of Colombia’s murderous Castaño brothers.” The Telegraph. 7 November 2008. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/3391789/...
[43] “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm
[44] AUC Paramilitaries Kill 22 Colombian Farmers.” Terrorism Watch & Warning. N.p. 23 April 2014. Web. 1 August 2015. http://www.terrorism.com/2014/04/23/auc-paramilitaries-kill-22-colombian...
[45] Lis, Kerri. “Four Kuna leaders assassinated by Colombian paramilitaries.” Indian Country Today Media Network. N.p. 14 February 2003. Web. 1 August 2015. http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2003/02/14/four-kuna-leaders-a...
[46] Martin, Gus, and Harvey W. Kushner. The Sage Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2011. Print.
[47] “Designation of the AUC As a Foreign Terrorist Organization.” U.S. Department of State Archive. N.p. 10 September 2001. Web. 4 August 2015. http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2001/4852.htm ; "Foreign Terrorist Organizations - United States Department of State." U.S. Department of State. Web. 30 July 2019. https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/.
[48] Hulsman, John and Johnson, Stephen. “Europe’s Goofy Terrorist List.” The Heritage Foundation. N.p. 3 May 2002. Web. 4 August 2015. http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2002/05/europes-goofy-terror...
[49] Lis, Kerri. “Four Kuna leaders assassinated by Colombian paramilitaries.” Indian Country Today Media Network. N.p. 2 February 2014. Web. 2 August 2015. http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2003/02/14/four-kuna-leaders-a...
[50] “The guerrilla groups in Colombia.” United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. United Nations. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.unric.org/en/colombia/27013-the-guerrilla-groups-in-colombia
[51] “AUC.” InSight Crime. N.p. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/auc-profile
[52] Otis, John. “The FARC and Colombia’s Illegal Drug Trade.” The Wilson Centre. N.p. November 2014. Web. 5 August 2015. http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/Otis_FARCDrugTrade2014.pdf
[53] “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm
[54] Martin, Gus, and Harvey W. Kushner. The Sage Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2011. Print.
[55] “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm; “AUC.” InSight Crime. N.p. N.d. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/auc-profile
[56] “United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC – Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.” Global Security. N.p. 07 November 2011. Web. 3 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/auc.htm; Trent, Caitlin. “AUC.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 5 December 2012. Web. 4 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/auc/