'Urabeņos' increase control in and around Medellin .
'Urabeños' increase control in and around Medellin .
Monday, 29 October 2012 07:20 Adriaan Alsema
The "Urabeños," by far Colombia's most powerful neo-paramilitary group, have sent reinforcements to the city of Medellin in an attempt to take over control of the city's underworld, according to locals, officials and media.
Medellin has traditionally been run by the Oficina de Envigado, a crime syndicate created by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s that works as an umbrella organization joining the local neighborhood militias. However, following the arrest of its latest leader "Sebastian" and his right hand man earlier this year, the organization lost much of its control over the gangs.
~snip~
Both the Comuna 8 and 13 and considered strategic exit and entry points; the Comuna 8 connects Medellin to the Bajo Cauca region where coca is cultivated, while the Comuna 13 connects the city to the Uraba region. Uraba, the birth-ground of the Urabeños, is an important Caribbean port for both arms and drug trafficking.
~snip~
Nevertheless, the incursion of the Urabeños coincides with cases of forced displacement in the neighborhoods under neo-paramilitary control and is causing fear among Medellin residents who have learned to coexist with the local militias, but fear the Urabeños' brutal reputation.
More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/26725-urabenos-increase-control-in-and-around-medellin.html