The Colombian Armed Conflict -- The Guerrilla and Paramilitary in the Sierra Nevada and Minca

Minca grew and flourished until the 80s when the guerrilla took advantage of the climate to begin their own marijuana and coca farms, strategically close to port cities such as Santa Marta to easily smuggle their products out of the country. There were two major attacks on Minca by the guerrilla, one in 1988 and 1998. The growth and conflict caused by the guerrilla caused the formation of the paramilitary, which we also discuss in detail, and the guerrilla presence was what brought the paramilitary to the region also. The population of the Sierra Nevada were stuck between both groups and today it is difficult to find anyone here or elsewhere in Colombia that has not personally suffered from at least one side.

This newspaper clipping is from after the guerrilla attack on Minca in 1998. It marked the first major displacement of the community, but unfortunately it was really only the beginning of the violence to come

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