Massive Decrease in Medellin Homicides --Down Almost 50% In 1 Year.

utopiacowboy says on Apr 30, 2005, 12:01:

I guess the AUC won the turf wars.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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platano says on Apr 30, 2005, 17:47:

I hope not, UTC, I'd hate to see happen in Medellin what... happened when the paramilitaries won control elsewhere. In Barrancabermeja, a paramilitary laboratory, “they prohibited the kids from wearing long hair, earrings, and bracelets. They closed the gay bars, and the beauty parlors of homosexual men were transferred to women. They killed one homosexual man, and then they cut off his penis and put it in the mouth of the dead body.” Also, they established a curfew for minors and obligatory schooling until age 17. They limited the hours for public establishments and imposed sanctions and punishments on those who disobey. The report from various human rights organizations about the Magdalena Medio notes: “On a side street in any of the neighborhoods of Barrancabermeja and Puerto Wilches, one can see boys with machete in hand, cleaning the public areas as part of their punishment. In other cases they are forced to wear signs that say that they are thieves, prostitutes, etc.” Full Report Here

Platano, estudiante del Manual de Urbanidad y Buenas Maneras por Manuel Antonio Carreño
Oxigeno Verde
Foto de Platanito chinito

plátano

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dwmte says on Apr 30, 2005, 18:09:

it wasn't too many years ago.... that the murder rate was in excess of 5,000. bieng down at 1,500 is a real drop...who cares what it was last year.

the difference in atmosphere now and say the late '80's is so incredible that it's as if you're in a diffenent country. i can remember when the shooting and bombings went on all day long, seven days a week.

a real difference. nobody asked is it safe to visit medellin. back then, there were no foreigners in town. just an occassional flyboy and that was about it. ( they flew the dope flights back to florida)

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 30, 2005, 21:32:

Obligatory schooling until age 17? Talk about cruel.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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poco says on Apr 30, 2005, 22:03:

System Working Glad to see the Colombian justice system is intact.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Miguel says on Apr 30, 2005, 22:51:

Required Schooling to age 17? Somebody call Amnesty International! The United Nations! Hugo Chavez!

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pablorojas says on May 1, 2005, 17:23:

Don Berna? This is something i read in Semana and my summary of it:

Although credit is given to Uribe for this drop in homicide rates in Medellin, it primarily due to the paramilitary presence. I will not come out and argue whether Uribe is a para or not because it is irrelevant, but it is true that the AUC feels more comfortable with him in power. In a recent Semana article, the power of Don Berna, a paramilitary and drug trafficker was revealed to the general public.

In Medellin, many AUC-sympathizers marched for amnesty for the paras with signs that basically said Don Berna had pacified the city. He has scared all the small gangs into submission and forced them to stop the gang wars. He runs the entire intimidation industry of Medellin nowadays, basically sending armed thugs around to scare indebted people, in turn getting paid by the people who need the service.

Of course, this peace, if indeed it is Don Berna's work, is not sustainable. Medellin is still lawless except now it has a powerful presence that has ended all the struggles for power among small-time criminal organizations. Once Don Berna dies or whatever, the power struggles are likely to begin once again. Medellin homicides reached 5,000 after Escobar died. When he was in control of the city, homicides were nearer to 3,700 because of his intimidating presence. Of course, it is almost impossible that Berna is as powerful as Escobar, but he shows that criminals, largely unknown outside of Colombia, are still in control of Medellin and that the rule of law is still missing.

Not surprisingly, there is no extradition order for Berna. I was shocked to hear about him in the news because I do not live in Medellin, but a friend of mine has been trheatened by some of the thugs and he talked to me about these guys who report back to "La Oficina". In the Semana Article, La Oficina was mentioned as the nickname for Berna's HQ.

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dwmte says on May 1, 2005, 18:09:

don pablo.... that qualifies as some pretty weighty stuff. it's interesting to know who portrays the 'strong arm' of medellin since p escobar. too, coming from semana, an exceptionally reliable rag in colombia.

i lived there during and after escobar and it's clear that someone is keeping a lid on the action. it's nice to apply a name.

thanks for sharing.

dw

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utopiacowboy says on May 1, 2005, 21:37:

This doesn't surprise me in the slightest. In fact my post above was not really tongue in cheek. Once the AUC takes charge violence decreases significantly - of course you do have to play by their rules. Cordoba, home of the AUC, is the safest place in Colombia.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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