UN warns Colombia over ongoing state collusion with paramilitary groups

"We have come to stay," says this graffiti signed by paramilitary group AGC. (Image: Amnesty International)

The United Nations’ Human Rights Council is “concerned” over ongoing ties between state agents and death squads in Colombia, it said in the periodic review of the country.

The UN’s highest human rights body said it was “concerned” about paramilitary groups that were formed after a demobilization process with paramilitary umbrella organization AUC between 2003 and 2006.

UN Human Rights Council

“It is also concerned by claims that some of these groups have acted in collusion with agents of the State,” the UN said it the report presented to Colombia’s delegation.

According to the international organization, state officials “provide support” to groups like the AGC and the Aguilas Negras “or allow them to act with their acquiescence.”

Notable incidents

The AUC successor groups have been the country’s primary human rights violators for years. The government, however, has consistently downplayed their prominence and has denied the paramilitary nature of these groups.

UN Human Rights Council

Dissident members of the AUC formed multiple groups after their former organization’s demobilization.

Other organizations, like the Oficina de Envigado of “Don Berna,” never demobilized.

The AGC, the largest of these groups, has claimed that they rearmed because of the mass killing of demobilized combatants and state violations of the agreement made between former President Alvaro Uribe and AUC leaders.

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