AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia)

AUC, or the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, was a paramilitary group active mainly from the 1990s to the 2000s. Comprising mostly of right-wing militias, they aimed to combat guerrilla groups and drug trafficking, but often engaged in violent and illegal activities, including human rights abuses. They operated with some level of government support at times, but were also considered illegal by Colombia. Over time, the group demobilized and transformed into legal organizations or disbanded, but their legacy remains controversial due to their violent past.