Click for enlarged map and full 'Just the Facts' post
A great post by leading Colombia expert Adam Isaacson over at 'Just the Facts' today, which gives an overview of the far right wing paramilitary organizations operating in the country at present. As well as the map you see above, you get a rundown of the five main groups and information on each one under headings "Territory", "Membership", "Leadership", "Lineage", Notable Connections" and "Recent News". Great stuff indeed and your humble scribe urges you to click through and read the whole piece, but here's the intro blurb to get you in the mood:
Here is an overview of the principal "emerging criminal groups" in Colombia. The Colombian government refers to them as "Bacrim" (Bandas Criminales), and along with leftist guerrillas they are among the country's principal narcotraffickers. These groups are often called "new paramilitaries" because most are led by former mid-level commanders of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), the paramilitary umbrella organization that underwent a formal demobilization in 2006.