SUMMARY

EGC (Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia; the Gaitanista Army of Colombia) was a neo-paramilitary group emerging from the paramilitary movement AUC, which demobilized in 2006. The group was centred around the Gulf of Urabá in the provinces of Antioquia, Chocó and Cordoba and was primarily involved in transnational drug trafficking regulating coca paste production. In 2024 the group changed its name from AGC (Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia; Gaitanist Self Defense-Forces of Colombia) to EGC to detach itself from its paramilitary origin and indicate its contribution to the ’Total Peace’ plan initiated by the President Gustavo Pedro in 2023.

EGC was primarily involved in transnational drug trafficking with its base centered around the Gulf of Urabá in the provinces of Antioquia and Chocó stretching into Córdoba with presence in at least 20 of the provinces in Colombia including major cities as Medellín and Bogotá in 2023.

The one-sided violence was often connected to disputes over territorial control for drug trafficking or illegal mining. The perpetrators often shot the victims using firearms when passing by on a motorcycle or at the victim’s residence or nearby. The victims were often community leaders and individuals engaged in the drug and mining businesses. The majority of the events took place in the provinces of Antioquia, Bolivar, Chocó, Cordoba and Santander.

EGC first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2021. Between October 9 and November 25 the one-sided violence resulted in over 25 civilian deaths when a minor belonging to the organization murdered four people in Caucasia, Antioquia with firearms.