Paisas

The “Paisas” was a small neo-paramilitary group formed from the ranks of the demobilized AUC.

The group was formed after 2006 by demobilized members of the “Bloque Mineros,” a paramilitary group led by Ramiro “Cuco” Vanoy whose stronghold was the Bajo Cauca region where the AUC controlled much of the coca cultivation.

The mid-level commanders, with the blessing of their former leader, reorganized and formed the Paisas.

However, facing increasing pressure from the much stronger Urabeños and Rastrojos and the killing of leader “Mono Vides” in 2010, the group split in two leaving Bajo Cauca to the dispute between the country’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations.

Related

• Los Paisas news archive
• Los Paisas profile on InSight Crime

Reported area of influence

Map compiled with data published by Indepaz (orange)