>

Hijos De Carlos Castaño

Hijos De Carlos Castaño

Who Are They?

The Hijos de Carlos Castaño, or “Sons of Carlos Castaño,” are a Colombian paramilitary group that was founded in the early 2000s by Carlos Castaño Gil, a former member of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). The group is known for its violent tactics, including assassinations, kidnappings, and extortion. It has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

Formation and Growth

The Hijos de Carlos Castaño was formed in 2002 after Castaño Gil was killed in a helicopter crash. The group was initially led by Castaño Gil's brother, Vicente Castaño Gil, who was also a former member of the AUC. Under Vicente Castaño Gil's leadership, the group grew rapidly and expanded its operations into new areas of Colombia.

Structure and Ideology

The Hijos de Carlos Castaño is a highly organized and disciplined group with a clear hierarchy. The group is divided into several regional blocs, each of which is led by a commander. The group's ideology is based on a mixture of right-wing nationalism and anti-communism.

The group's main goal is to create a “new Colombia” free from leftist guerrillas and other threats to the state. The group has been accused of human rights abuses, including murder, torture, and displacement of civilians.

Decline and Demobilization

In recent years, the Hijos de Carlos Castaño has been weakened by a number of factors, including the death of Vicente Castaño Gil in 2007 and the demobilization of thousands of its members as part of the Colombian government's peace process with the FARC guerrillas.

However, the group remains active in some parts of Colombia, and it continues to be a threat to security and stability in the country.