Los Rastrojos is a Colombie drog trokin organisation engagit in the Colombie airmit conflict. The group wis formit bi Norte del Valle Cairtel capo Wilber Varela, alias "Jabon" an ane o his richt-haund men, "Diego Rastrojo", aroond 2004 whan Varela fell oot wi fellae-capo Diego León Montoya Sánchez, alias "Don Diego".[2] The group became unthirlt efter the murther o it main foonder in Venezuela in 2008 an haes syne become ane o the maist important drog trokin organisation in Colombie.

Los Rastrojos
Foondin locationCali, Valle del Cauca, Colombie
Years active2004–present
TerritoryColombie, Venezuela, Ecuador, Central Americae, Mexico.
EthnicityColombies an Creeminals o various ethnicity are employed
Membership1,500
Creeminal activitiesMurther, drog trokin, extortion, Airms trokin, Money launderin, Ilegal Gowd Minin.
AlliesSinaloa Cairtel, Daniel Barrera Barrera, The Office o Envigado
RivalsUsuga Clan[1]

The group funds itsel primarily bi trokin cocaine, marijuana an heroin, an illegal gowd minin, thus takkin advantage o heich gowd prices in 2010 an 2011.[3][4]

Los Rastrojos are, thegither wi the Norte del Valle cairtel, are considered the "heirs" o the Cali Cairtel. Ither reports allege Los Rastrojos are in fact the same as the Norte del Valle cairtel, anerlie wirkin unner a new name an takkin advantage 'o a strang netwirk o assassins, distributors an contacts in the internaitional mercats'.[5] the group focuses on buyin coca frae the source, processin it thairsels an sellin it wholesale for internaitional distribution or shippin it thairsels throu Central Americae an Mexico.

They are believit tae operate mainly in Valle del Cauca an Cali, awtho thare are reports o them spreadin their zone o influence tae ither pairts o Colombie an wastren Venezuela.[6] Membership is estimated at 1,200 to 1,500 fighters and hitmen.[7] Several members of Los Rastrojos have been killed or arrested in Venezuela by the Venezuelan armed forces.[8]

Oreegins eedit

"The Rastrojos stairtit in 2002, as the airmit wing for Wilber Varela, alias "Jabon." At the time, Varela wis fechtin a rival in the Norte del Valle Cairtel, Diego Montoya, alias "Don Diego," an Montoya's private airmy, the "Machos." Varela lieutenant Diego Pérez Henao, alias "Diego Rastrojo recruitit its first members, hence the group teuk on his name."[5]

References eedit

  1. "'Los Urabeños' declaran la guerra a 'Los Rastrojos' | Colombia". Vanguardia.com. Retrieved 26 Mey 2012.
  2. "Rastrojos". Colombia Reports. 18 September 2012. Archived frae the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  3. "Colombia Jan-May gold output up 33 pct-official". Reuters. 30 Julie 2010. Archived frae the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 26 Mey 2012.
  4. Simon Romero, New York Times, 3 March 2011, In Colombia, New Gold Rush Fuels Old Conflict
  5. a b "Rastrojos". Insightcrime.org. 11 Mey 2012. Archived frae the original on 25 Juin 2012. Retrieved 26 Mey 2012.
  6. "Los Rastrojos". Insightcrime.org. Archived frae the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 26 Mey 2012.
  7. "El poder de 'Los Rastrojos'". Elespectador.Com. Retrieved 26 Mey 2012.
  8. "Venezuela confirma que 'Jabón' murió en su país". Elespectador.Com. 1 Februar 2008. Retrieved 26 Mey 2012.

Freemit airtins eedit