Black Eagles

Black Eagles ( _es. Águilas Negras) is a term describing a series of Colombian criminal organizations made up of new and preexisting paramilitary forces, some of which were part of the demobilized United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). These were first considered to be a third generation of paramilitary groups but there are Colombian military reports suggesting the Águilas Negras are intermediaries in the drug business between the guerrilla and drug cartels outside Colombia. [ [http://www.cambio.com.co/paiscambio/763/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR_CAMBIO-3957334.html es icon Revista Cambio: Farc y las Águilas Negras se alían en negocios de narcotráfico en el sur de Bolívar] ]

The Black Eagles are closely associated with drug cartels and are involved in drug trafficking activities, extortions, racketeering and kidnappings. They have also attacked guerrilla members and suspected sympathizers. One individual who has been accused of leading the Black Eagles is former AUC leader Vicente Castaño [http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Agosto152007/castaguilas.html es icon Vicente Castaño would be behind 'Águilas Negras'] El Pais Accessed 20 August 2007.] , who became a fugitive after his demobilization when he was judicially accused of murdering his own brother, paramilitary leader Carlos Castaño.

The Black Eagles first appeared in the northern Colombian cities of Cúcuta and Ocaña in the Norte de Santander Department near the border with Venezuela between April and March 2006, along with other groups initially identifying themselves as "Eagles" of different colors, including "Red Eagles", "Golden Eagles" and "Blue Eagles". Other criminal groups using the Black Eagle label expanded their operations in other departments of Colombia, mainly in Santander, Cesar, Caqueta and Antioquia. On October 18, 2006 President Álvaro Uribe openly ordered their detention. [http://www.eltiempo.com/conflicto/noticias/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3306783.html es icon Las "Águilas negras", group formed by demobilized members of the United Self-Defense Forces are present in five regions] El Tiempo.com Accessed 20 August 2007.] [http://www.semana.com/wf_InfoArticulo.aspx?idArt=105663 es icon What are the "Águilas negras"?] Revista Semana Accessed 20 August 2007.] The government also ordered the creation of a new Search Bloc against the Black Eagles and classified this organization as a gang of former paramilitaries. [http://www.ejercito.mil.co/index.php?idcategoria=192687 Captured nine presumed members of the Águilas Negras] Colombian Army Accessed 20 August 2007.]

Organization

According to Revista Semana, the new criminal organizations may have up to 4,000 members distributed into 22 identified groups in 200 municipalities and 22 of the 32 departments. The number of groups could also be 34, due to their capacity to hide.

Groups

* "Águilas Negras de Catatumbo": operating in Cúcuta, Chinácota, El Tarra, Tibú, El Zulia and Puerto Santander in Norte de Santander Department, with influence over the towns of Ocaña and Aguachica this last town located in the Cesar Department. (Between 15 and 360 members)
* Banda Santander: operating in Riohacha and Maicao, La Guajira Department (Approx. 30 members).
* "Los Rastrojos": operating in Cauca Department. (Approx. 300 members) Gang to the service of Wílber Varela
* "Nueva Generación": Operating in Nariño Department. (Approx. 300 members)

ee also

*Daniel Barrera Barrera

References

External links

* [http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/international-crisis-group-report.pdf USA Today: Colombia's new armed groups - Crisis Group Latin America Report N°20, 10 May 2007]