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Colombia

After more than half a century of civil war and the rise and fall of drug trafficking empires, Colombia has made huge strides in improving its security situation in recent years.

Latest News

La Pista: Venezuelans Find Refuge in Colombian Desert

NEWS / 31 MAY 2023

An abandoned Colombian airport has become a shelter for thousands of migrants fleeing organized crime in Venezuela.

Paramilitary Commander Salvatore Mancuso Reveals AUC’s Connections in Colombia

NEWS / 23 MAY 2023

Salvatore Mancuso, a leader of Colombia's demobilized paramilitary group the AUC has offered insights into the group's crimes and influence.

Colombia's Talks With ELN Stumbling, Again

NEWS / 19 MAY 2023

The ELN's talks with the government are not going smoothly. Continuing attacks and disagreements about ceasefires have kept Colombia's Total Peace on a knife-edge.

Colombia Profile

Criminal Actors

Armed Groups

A deadly mix of drug trafficking groups, active rebel forces, and dissident cells of former guerillas have emerged in Colombia to fill the power vacuum left after the demobilization of the country’s largest guerilla army, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC). Fatal conflicts occur regularly throughout the country as various groups seek to control territory and the cocaine supply chain, along with other criminal economies, such as illegal mining and timber trafficking. Local criminal networks, from street gangs to Medellin’s formidable Oficina de Envigado, have long controlled the country’s urban underworlds.

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Personalities

Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, alias 'The Chess Player'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / JUNE 15, 2022

Colombian kingpin, Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, alias “The Chess Player,” was one of the leaders of the Cali Cartel.

Jobanis de Jesús Ávila Villadiego, alias ‘Chiquito Malo’

COLOMBIA / JUNE 17, 2022

Jobanis de Jesús Ávila Villadiego, alias "Chiquito Malo," is the current commander of the AGC, succeeding Otoniel.

Pablo Escobar

AUC / 30 AUG 2021

Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was the pioneer in industrial-scale cocaine trafficking.

Eliecer Erlinto Chamorro, alias 'Antonio Garcia'

ANTONIO GARCÍA / JUNE 24, 2021

Eliecer Erlinto Chamorro, alias "Antonio Garcia," is the number two commander in Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group.

Ricardo Abel Ayala Orrego, alias 'Cabuyo'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / APRIL 23, 2021

Ricardo Abel Ayala Ortega, alias "Cabuyo," is currently one of Colombia's highest value military targets and operates mainly in the northwestern department of Antioquia.

Luis Agustin Caicedo Velandia, alias 'Don Lucho'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / JULY 16, 2021

For some two decades, Luis Agustin Caicedo Velandia, alias “Don Lucho,” is alleged to have played a significant role in trafficking drugs out of Colombia’s prized Eastern Plains region.

José Manuel Sierra Sabogal, alias 'Zarco Aldinever'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / FEBRUARY 2, 2020

José Manuel Sierra Sabogal, alias "Zarco Aldinever," served with the 51st, 52nd, and 26th fronts, in the departments of Meta, Cundinamarca and Boyacá and became one of the top commanders…

José Vicente Lesmes, alias 'Walter Mendoza'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / JULY 5, 2022

José Vicente Lesmes, alias "Walter Mendoza," was a historic FARC commander and currently a top leader within the Second Marquetalia.

Henry Castellanos Garzón, alias 'Romaña'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / DECEMBER 9, 2021

Henry Castellanos Garzón, alias “Romaña,” was the commander of the 53rd Front of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - FARC) and is currently…

Leider Johani Noscue, alias 'Mayimbú'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 8 NOV 2019

Leider Noscue, known by his alias “Mayimbú,” is currently one of the highest-value military targets in the department of Cauca, to the west of Colombia.

Seuxis Pausías Hernández, alias 'Jesús Santrich'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / MAY 18, 2021

Seuxis Pausías Hernández Solarte, alias “Jesús Santrich,” was a senior former FARC commander who participated in that guerrilla group's demobilization process before taking up arms again in 2019 to form…

Hernán Darío Velásquez Saldarriaga, alias 'El Paisa'

COLOMBIA / DECEMBER 9, 2021

Hernán Darío Velásquez, alias "El Paisa," was a top former leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Walter Patricio Arizala, alias “Guacho”

COLOMBIA / JANUARY 18, 2019

Walter Patricio Arizala, alias “Guacho,” was one of the most wanted criminals in both Colombia and Ecuador, after military forces made him a priority target. Guacho led the dissident members…

José Bayron Piedrahita Ceballos, alias 'El Árabe,' or the 'Patron de Caucasia'

COLOMBIA MAFIA / MAY 10, 2019

José Bayron Piedrahita Ceballos is presumed to be one of the biggest drug lords in Colombia. During his criminal career spanning more than 20 years, Piedrahita managed to stay out…

Miguel Botache Santillana, alias 'Gentil Duarte'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / MAY 26, 2022

Miguel Botache Santillana, better known as "Gentil Duarte," was Colombia's most wanted criminal until his death in May 2022.

Gustavo Aníbal Giraldo, alias 'Pablito'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / OCTOBER 3, 2022

Pablito is one of the ELN's longstanding and most belligerent commanders. His support would be crucial to any peace talks in Colombia.

Géner García Molina, alias 'John 40'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / JUNE 14, 2021

Géner García Molina, better known as "Jhon 40," is the one who connects the cocaine that leaves southern Colombia with its buyers in Venezuela. If there is one example…

Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias 'Iván Mordisco'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / APRIL 14, 2023

Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias “Iván Mordisco,” was one of Colombia’s principal former FARC commanders until his death in July 2022.

Óscar Mauricio Pachón, alias 'Puntilla'

COLOMBIA / DECEMBER 7, 2018

Óscar Mauricio Pachón, alias “Puntilla,” was a drug trafficker who controlled a criminal network in Colombia’s strategic Eastern Plains.

Martin Farfan Diaz Gonzalez, alias 'Pijarbey'

COLOMBIA / 2016-11-07 21:59:53

Martin Farfan Diaz Gonzalez, alias "Pijarbey" was a powerful criminal operative in Colombia's Eastern Plains region.

Marcos de Jesus Figueroa Garcia, alias 'Marquitos'

COLOMBIA / 2016-11-17 14:46:48

Marcos de Jesus Figueroa Garcia, alias "Marquitos," is a Colombian smuggler and was captured by authorities in 2014.

Victor Navarro, alias 'Megateo'

COLOMBIA / 2016-11-17 14:49:02

Victor Navarro, alias "Megateo," was considered the most important drug trafficker in Norte de Santander until his death.

Roberto Vargas Gutiérrez, alias 'Gavilán'

COLOMBIA / 2017-09-01 17:13:50

Roberto Vargas Gutiérrez, alias "Gavilán," transformed himself from Maoist guerrilla to paramilitary fighter to top leader of the Urabeños. He turned himself in to authorities twice, only to return…

Diego Fernando Murillo, alias 'Don Berna'

COLOMBIA / 2016-11-17 14:48:11

Don Berna was the leader of Oficina de Envigado, a criminal group in Medellin, which grew after the fall of Pablo Escobar in Colombia.

Henry de Jesús López, alias 'Mi Sangre'

AUC / 2017-03-09 22:14:34

Medellin native Henry de Jesus Lopez, alias "Mi Sangre," had a prolific criminal career that saw him become a key number of several criminal organizations in Colombia.

Jose Eberto Lopez Montero, alias 'Caracho'

CARACHO / 2017-03-09 22:17:24

Jose Eberto Lopez Montero, alias "Caracho," is a former soldier who was recruited into the ranks of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), fighting for the paramilitary…

Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, alias 'Timochenko'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / JANUARY 28, 2020

Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, alias "Timochenko," is only the third commander-in-chief in the FARC's nearly 50-year history. Of the three, Timochenko has the most mysterious past. …

Angel de Jesus Pacheco Chanci, alias 'Sebastian'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2017-03-09 23:50:47

Angel de Jesus Pacheco Chanci, alias "Sebastian," is generally recognized as being responsible for a great deal of the mayhem that afflicted northeast Antioquia, Colombia throughout 2009…

Rafael Alvarez Piñeda, alias 'Chepe'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2016-11-07 21:08:28

A member of Colombia’s AUC, Rafael Alvarez Piñeda, alias "Chepe," demobilized in 2006, going on to lead the paramilitary successor group the Paisas, but later switched sides…

Cesar Augusto Torres Lujan, alias 'Mono Vides'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2017-03-09 23:52:15

A former fighter in the paramilitary United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), Cesar Augusto Torres Lujan, alias "Mono Vides," was a commander for the Paisas in Antioquia province. He died…

Dairo Antonio Úsuga, alias 'Otoniel'

COLOMBIA / JAN 30, 2023

Dairo Antonio Úsuga, alias “Otoniel,” was the head of the AGC, Colombia's main drug trafficking group, until his arrest in October 2021.

Juan de Dios Úsuga, alias 'Giovanni'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2017-03-09 23:54:35

Juan de Dios Usuga, alias "Giovanni," headed the Urabeños' military wing while the group was under the command of Daniel Rendon Herrera, alias "Don Mario."…

Victor Julio Suarez Rojas, alias 'Mono Jojoy'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2017-03-10 00:05:16

Until his death in September 2010, Victor Julio Suarez Rojas, alias "Mono Jojoy," was the top military commander of Colombian rebel group the FARC, head of the feared Eastern Bloc and…

Pedro Oliverio Guerrero, alias 'Cuchillo'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2017-03-10 00:10:07

Pedro Oliverio Guerrero, alias "Cuchillo," demobilized with the paramilitaries before forming successor group the Popular Revolutionary Anti-Terrorist Army of Colombia (ERPAC), which bought drugs from the guerrillas and controlled…

Maximiliano Bonilla Orozco, alias 'Valenciano'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2016-11-07 22:08:37

Maximiliano Bonilla Orozco, alias "Valenciano," was a leader in the Colombian criminal organization Oficina de Envigado, and forged ties with international trafficking organizations such as the Zetas in Mexico. He…

Luciano Marín Arango, alias 'Iván Márquez'

COLOMBIA / SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

Luciano Marin Arango, alias “Iván Márquez,” was a senior member of the FARC Secretariat and founded the Second Marquetalia.

Nicolás Rodríguez Bautista, alias 'Gabino'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / MAY 19, 2020

Nicolás Rodríguez Bautista, alias "Gabino," was a peasant recruit who rose to become the commander in chief and political leader of Colombia guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (Ejército de…

Erickson Vargas Cardenas, alias 'Sebastian' (Oficina)

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2016-11-07 22:12:46

Erickson Vargas Cardenas, alias "Sebastian," is a former hitman turned leader of the feared Oficina de Envigado organization that operates in and around Medellin, Colombia. He was captured by Colombian…

Daniel Barrera Barrera, alias 'El Loco'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / MAY 5, 2020

Daniel Barrera Barrera, alias "El Loco," was the closest thing Colombia has to a modern Pablo Escobar. Until his capture in 2012, he used a vast network of collaborators, from…

Diego Perez Henao, alias 'Diego Rastrojo'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2016-11-07 22:02:10

Diego Perez Henao, alias "Diego Rastrojo," was the military head of the Rastrojos, a criminal group whose reach stretches across Colombia…

Luis E. Calle Serna

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2017-02-16 22:07:27

Luis Enrique Calle Serna was a leader in the feared and ambitious Rastrojos criminal organization in Colombia. He surrendered to US authorities in Panama on October 2, 2012, and was sentenced…

Rastrojos

COLOMBIA / JULY 20, 2022

The Rastrojos were one of Colombia's most feared criminal groups but they are now a shadow of their former selves.

Javier Antonio Calle Serna, alias 'Comba'

COLOMBIA PERSONALITIES / 2017-03-10 03:35:08

Javier Antonio Calle Serna, alias “Comba,” was the top leader of the Rastrojos, a group of former paramilitary hitmen turned drug trafficking organization in Colombia. He…

Guillermo Leon Saenz Vargas, alias 'Alfonso Cano'

ALFONSO CANO / 2017-03-10 03:22:31

Guillermo Leon Saenz Vargas, alias Alfonso Cano, was the supreme commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the hemisphere's oldest and deadliest insurgency. He was killed on November 4, 2011.

News

COLOMBIA / 10 MAY 2023

Roldán was found shot dead on May 6 near the town of Fredonia in the Colombian department of Antioquia, Ecuador’s Interior Minister Juan Zapata confirmed on May 8. While the…

COLOMBIA / 2 MAY 2023

Colombia's security policy has made clear the country's intention to tackle the ELN. But to do so, it's relying on the help of Venezuela.

COLOMBIA / 1 MAY 2023

Colombia’s new security policy has put the fight against deforestation front and center, but several challenges loom ahead of its implementation.  The “Security, Defense and Citizen Coexistence Policy,” presented April…

COCA / 28 APR 2023

A collapse in coca prices means Colombian farmers are struggling to sell their coca crops. The cocaine trade won't be affected, say experts.

ARMS TRAFFICKING / 24 APR 2023

InSight Crime spoke to journalist Ioan Grillo to better understand gun trafficking into Latin America from the United States.

BRAZIL / 4 APR 2023

In Leticia, a tri-border between Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, Brazilian gangs are pushing up violence as the battle for control.

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