Urabeños make it clear that they, not the police, are the authority in north Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

Urabeños make it clear that they, not the police, are the authority in north Colombia
Posted by Adriaan Alsema on Apr 1, 2016

Neo-paramilitary groups Urabeños shut down the north of Colombia and carried out attacks on a police station and security forces, leaving it clear with the official authorities that paramilitary forces, not the police, control public security.

Both President Juan Manuel Santos and Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas tried to downplay the importance and impact of the economic shutdown ordered by the group former by dissident members of the formally demobilized AUC, the largest paramilitary organization in Colombia’s history.

However, Thursday must have made it very clear that Colombia’s ultimate authority is not the police, and even less the president, but a cocaine trading neo-paramilitary group.

. . .

While both the military and the police said they would guarantee security, entire city centers in northern Colombia turned into ghost towns as no shopkeeper wanted to challenge the Urabeños’ order or believe in the corrupt police system’s ability to provide protection.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/urabenos-show-police-really-authority-colombia/

LBN:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141399516

[Judi Lynn]

1. Colombia Intensifies Offensive to Stop Violent Actions by Clan Usuga

Colombia Intensifies Offensive to Stop Violent Actions by Clan Usuga

Bogota, Apr 1 (Prensa Latina) Amid violent actions and threats by the clan Usuga, Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas asserted today that the Police would intensify the offensive against the criminal gang that is frightening residents in several departments.
The criminal organization has blocked roads for 48 hours ago in a group of localities, and threatened businesspeople, students and other residents for them to stay home.

Such acts are encouraged under the slogan "armed strike" and the preliminary result was five police agents killed, wounded civilians, burned vehicles and 52 others seized, the defense minister said.

According to Villegas, in municipalities of Antioquia, where the disturbances began, some citizens were reopening businesses and schools, and gradually returning to their normal work, while residents living in Cordoba were undergoing the most complex situation.

More:
http://www.plenglish.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4750991&Itemid=1