The FARC are working in cooperation with neo-paramilitaries in northern Colombia because leaders of the two groups are family members, according to newspaper El Tiempo.
The claim is based around the apparent relationship between the commander of the FARC northwestern column Luis Carlos Restrepo Usuga, alias “Isaiah Trujillo,” and Juan de Dios Usuga, alias “Giovanni”, former leader of neo-paramilitary group Los Urabeños, whose death earlier this month sparked an “armed strike” which shut down much of northwestern Colombia.
The newspaper claims the men were cousins and that a pact was made in 2008 at the request of drug lord “Don Mario,” who is apparently still running Los Urabeños from prison, for the two groups to protect the drug trade together, in order to guarantee the financial base upon which they each exist.
Following the death of Giovanni, Los Urabeños have apparently informed people in their areas of influence that his brother Dario Antonio Usuga David, alias “Otoniel,” has taken over day-to-day leadership of the group.