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The United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (''Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia'', or AUC, in Spanish) was a Colombian para-military and drug trafficking group which was an active belligerent in the Colombian armed conflict during the period from 1997 to 2006. The AUC was responsible for attacks against the FARC and ELN rebel groups as well as numerous attacks against civilians beginning in 1997 with the Mapiripán Massacre.〔 The militia had its roots in the 1980s when militias were established by drugs lords to combat rebel kidnappings and extortion.〔BBC, Quick Guide, The Colombian conflict, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/quick_guides/05/americas_the_colombian_conflict/html/2.stm〕 In April 1997 the AUC was formed through a merger, orchestrated by the ACCU, of local right-wing militias,〔 each intending to protect different local economic, social and political interests by fighting left-wing insurgents in their areas.〔The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, Terrorist Organization Profile:United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC),http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=126〕 The organization was initially led by Carlos Castaño until his murder in 2004 and the organization was believed to have links to some local military commanders in the Colombian Armed Forces.〔〔 〕 The AUC had about 20,000 members was heavily financed through the drug trade〔 and through support from local landowners, cattle ranchers, mining or petroleum companies and politicians.〔RIVERA, Edgar de Jesús Velásquez. Historia del paramilitarismo en Colombia. História (). 2007, vol.26, n.1 ( 2010-07-02 ), pp. 134-153 . Available from: The Colombian military has been accused of delegating to AUC paramilitaries the task of murdering peasants and labor union leaders, amongst others suspected of supporting the rebel movements〔RIVERA, Edgar de Jesús Velásquez. Historia del paramilitarismo en Colombia. História (). 2007, vol.26, n.1 ( 2010-07-02 ), pp. 134-153 . Available from: The bulk of the AUC's blocs demobilized by early 2006 and its former top leadership was extradited to the U.S. in 2008. However, local successors such as the Black Eagles continue to exist and death threats have been made using its name. On May 8, 2008, employees of a community radio station (Sarare FM Stereo) received a message stating: "For the wellbeing of you and your loved ones, do not meddle in subjects that do not concern the radio station. AUC, Arauca". A few days later the letters AUC were daubed on the front of their office. This threat was made due to their participation in a public meeting attended by members of a Congressional Human Rights Commission on the 27 September 2007. Here, members of the public denounced human rights abuses committed in Arauca Department by different parties to the armed conflict, including the AUC.〔()〕 ==Formation== The militia had its roots in the 1980s when militias were established by drugs lords to combat rebel kidnappings and extortion.〔 In April 1997 the AUC was formally established by merging local right-wing militias, a process which was orchestrated by the militia group, ACCU.〔 Each of the AUC blocs was intent on protecting different local economic, social and political interests by fighting left-wing insurgents in their areas.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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