SUMMARY

The one-sided violence perpetrated by the Frente William Rivas, a faction of the AUC’s Bloque Norte, was concentrated in Colombia’s northern department of Magdalena between 2003 and 2004. Under the command of José Gregorio Mangonez Lugo, alias “Carlos Tijeras,” the group targeted civilians to assert territorial control and enforce a rigid social order.

Operating in municipalities such as Ciénaga, Zona Bananera, Fundación, and Aracataca, the paramilitary group employed tactics including selective assassinations, extortion, and intimidation. Victims were often killed at or near their homes or workplaces, sometimes following prior threats. The group’s actions aimed to instill fear, dismantle perceived guerrilla support networks, and impose social and political control.

The group's modus operandi included extorting various sectors — ranging from banana growers and transporters to small-scale vendors — under the guise of "security payments". Non-compliance often resulted in lethal consequences. Additionally, the group conducted so-called “social cleansing” campaigns, targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation, drug use, or other behaviors deemed undesirable. These actions were not only socially motivated but also served to consolidate the group's control over the region.

Frente William Rivas first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2003. In November of the same year one-sided violence resulted in over 25 civilian deaths when a man was assassinated in Ciénaga, Magdalena.