Carlos Castaño Gil
| Carlos Castaño Gil | |
|---|---|
| Born |
16 May 1965 Amalfi, Antioquia  Colombia
|
| Died | 16 April 2004 (aged 38) San Pedro de Urabá, Vereda el Tomate |
| Allegiance |
United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) Paramilitarism Narcotrafficking |
| Rank | Bloc commander and United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia leader |
| Unit | Peasant Self-Defense Forces of Cordoba and Uraba |
Carlos Castaño Gil (May 16, 1965 – April 16, 2004) was the founder of the Peasant Self-Defense Forces of Córdoba and Urabá (ACCU), an extreme right paramilitary organization in Colombia. Castaño and his brothers Fidel and Vicente founded this group (and its previous incarnations) after their father was kidnapped and killed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in association with other enemies or victims of the guerrillas. The ACCU later became one of the founding members of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).
Carlos Castaño Gil was the youngest son of the family Castaño Gil, mainly linked to livestock. Like his brothers, he experienced firsthand the murder of his father and Jesus Castaño. Led by his older brother, Fidel becomes a member of his first self-defense groups.
Following the passage of time as his brother Fidel, who knew the Medellin Cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar, Carlos strikes up a close friendship. Castaño had combat training by his brother, army officers and employees of the paramilitary group as well as Israeli mercenary Yair Klein.
Castaño opposed financing paramilitary groups through drug trafficking. The friendship between the Castaño brothers and Pablo Escobar broke when the latter sent assassins against the Castaño while being detained inside his personal prison "La Catedral". Castaño and his brothers then became founders of the group "Los Pepes" (an acronym for "people persecuted by Pablo Escobar"). During this time Carlos was known by the aliases of "the Phantom" or "the Kid". Contacts between Los Pepes and the Colombian National Police Search Bloc allegedly helped Escobar's demise and killing.
Two months after the death of Escobar, Fidel Castaño was killed in a battle against the EPL guerrilla; although it is believed that Carlos would have had a role in his death in retaliation for the alleged rape and murder, or possible suicide of Rumalda Castaño, a woman alleged to have been a lover of both brothers. After Fidel's death, Carlos Castaño assumed leadership of AUC, a paramilitary federation.
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