The Rastrojos are one of Colombia’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations. The group is particularly strong in the southwest of the country.

The drug trafficking organization was originally formed as the enforcer army of the Cali-based Norte del Valle cartel, but became an independent drug trafficking organization after the dissolving of their old cartel in the beginning of this century.

Before 2012, the Rastrojos were arguably the most powerful of drug trafficking organizations in Colombia as it had been able to incorporate hundreds of demobilized fighters from paramilitary group AUC.

However, a war with rival drug trafficking Urabeños, the unofficial heir of paramilitary umbrella organization AUC, and the surrender and arrest of the Rastrojos’ founding members forced the drug trafficking group to withdraw from large parts of Colombia’s national territory.

Colombia’s illegal armed groups’ areas of influence

FARC | ELN | Urabeños | Rastrojos | Aguilas Negras | Libertadores de Vichada | Bloque Meta | Machos | Paisas