AUTODEFENSAS UNIDAS DE COLOMBIA - AUC

[Pacino]

AUTODEFENSAS UNIDAS DE COLOMBIA - AUC
(UNITED SELF-DEFENSE GROUP OF COLOMBIA)

Last night on the news in Colombia they had an interview with Carlos Castaño leader of the AUC. He said that if his government doesn't do something to stop the FARC that he would take it into his own hands. He says that he will give the Colombian government 10 months to act or his 20,000 member group will act. I can say from past experience with Castano that when he says something he means it. Castano and the AUC are backed by many of Colombia's biggest companies while the FARC relies on drug money and kidnapping's to support their offenses. Castano's methods can be brutal but he does have the support of most Colombian's. I am interested in seeing what happens in 10 months from now and whether he backs up his words. Also next year Colombia will have a new president. 2002 in Colombia looks like it will be quite active and could shape its future. I believe that any man who is traveling to Colombia should keep himself informed and take an interest not only in the women but also what makes Colombia tick. Many men go only for the women and forget to learn something about the country and culture. Just my thoughts.

Pacino

Thanks for the info, Pacino. Yes, many gringos who venture to Locombia don't think much about the civil wars that take place in the countryside FOR NOW. Only one older (not old) gringo who is fluent in Spanish seemed to be concerned about the violence. After knowing him, I became somewhat more concerned about my safety. He read the Cali paper, El Pais, and translated the local TV news to me. Did you know that a bomb with plastique explosive from 100 to 200 pounds crashed through a poor guy's house from the roof down to the floor in the city limits of Cali? It happened in late Feb/early March 2001. It was dropped from a helicopter. Luckily, the FARC didn't rig the bomb correctly so it didn't explode. Apparently, the bomb was off target. There was a prison nearby and it was thought to be the target. I came to know a colombian american who is "connected". I cannot elaborate anymore. He asked me when I was going to return to the States. I said just after Easter. He said hell should start to break loose within a week upon my return. Shortly thereafter, a car bomb went off in Medellin, then Cali, and another later again Medellin. Those are the ones I'm aware of. The "connected" man said many Colombians would like the U.S. to invade their country and kill off all the rebels from Castan~os' AUC to the FARC. I didn't go around asking Colombians this sensitive question so I'm not sure this is true. It could very well be. The FARC will hide behind its kidnappings and drug money revenue cuts saying they are fighting for the poor. They're out for power and money. They're not Che Chevera's second coming. Just big time assholes/terrorists/murderers or whatever. They kill poor peasants sometimes. The right-winged AUC with Castan~o is serious and isn't much better than the FARC. When Pacino says the AUC will wage a vicious war if the government doesn't do anything significant against the FARC, I believe him. The "connected" man I knew talked about factions going nuts within a year from now. The man says the Colombian president (Pastrano, I think) is one of the weakest ones Colombia has ever had. This doesn't bode well several months (maybe 10 according to Pacino) down the line. I wouldn't be too concerned to winter in Colombia except Medellin. After that who knows? Pacino is right -- many gringos think about the women only. Keep abreast of the news in addition to the chicas. Paz. Buena suerte. Kev

Pacino, most of the Bogtaños I've been around (not that many, admittedly) seem to agree with Kevin that both the paramilitary and the guerrillas are worthless sh*t who've drug the country into the toilet. The amiga's sister--the attorney mentioned elsewhere--seems to favor la mano fuerte as do a number of other articulate and well-read Bogotaños I've come across. But I believe, in her mind, la mano fuerte means the army cleans things up and the paramilitaries are part of what gets cleaned up. She also seems to feel that Plan Colombia is a crock.

You seem to state that the paramilitaries (the AUC) enjoy some popular support. Do you think that the difference between your perception and my that of my attorney friend has to do with the difference between Bogota and Cali perspectives, or is it just a matter of different individuals seeing things differently?

[Pacino]

Fred, my statement is based on discussions I've had with many Colombian friends in Cali. The perception in Bogota or any other city may differ. From what I have seen many everyday people like Castaño's tough talk, I think people of Colombia are just tired of having to live in fear and want someone to do something to make things better even if it's the ruthless tactics of Castaño. I find it very sad to see many good people suffer and live in fear. I hope one day in the future Colombia will rid itself of all of these groups and live in some kind of peace.

Pacino

"I find it very sad to see many good people suffer and live in fear. I hope one day in the future Colombia will rid itself of all of these groups and live in some kind of peace."

Amen

Has there has been a recent change in Carlos Castaño allegiance or status with the AUC that have “not” been posted on CNN or MSNBC news links.

From what I was aware of Carlos Castaño stepped down from his former AUC chief & commander position sometime ago after some AUC members committed brutal atrocities near the buenaventure coast as well as planted a huge bomb (that was knowingly a dud) in N. Bogota. Castano denounced this bomb as an act war against the Colombian government he had no war with in the first place. Following that he stepped down declaring that he was an AUC consultant, AUC then elected 6 board member to run the fledging AUC. Following that in posts via CNN or MSNBC Carlos Castaño name was never used again as connected to the AUC or a blanket statement mentioning his allegiance with the AUC

About the AUC having 20000 members that is either misinformation or a show of bravado on their part. In recent months it is documented that the AUC has swelled to an all time high of 8000 members, however there has been no mention ever that AUC has an “acting” membership of 20000. (FARC has an acting membership of 17K and ELN about 6K members) http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/colombia.noframes/
The above is somewhat dated but it gives a clear indication of the players in Colombia.

One late night show means nothing… one statement means nothing from the AUC or FARC…

Just to prove a point the AUC stated just last week that it wouldn’t commit a massacre meaning no more then 3 people can be killed at any given time without a commission or tribunal war hearing…Well guess what the AUC killed 17 innocent people just two days ago… http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl...p?reg=AMERICAS

BTW A few little know facts about Carlos Castaño, one is had a brother named Fidel http://www.killingpablo.com/content/.../03/21/philly/ who was killed during the Pablo Escobar drug era. Also Carlos Castaño father was kidnapped and killed by the Rebels when he was a boy, which he then sought revenge…

[Kent]

http://colombialibre.net/colombialibre/pp.asp
this is the AUC website for those interested

[Pacino]

Whatever label you want to put on Carlos Castaño, he is still in control of the AUC.

Pacino

Pacino, I don't doubt that myself (and I was probably a little over the top concerning my earlier statements dismissing him).

It's just that I don't get the fact that he has disappeared from the headlines or at least from the news as I have read on the net hence his announcement sometime ago??