Once again the possibility of ending nearly 50 years of civil conflict is being dangled before Colombia. While the vast majority of the Colombian public want to see peace, for themselves and especially for their children, the enemies of the peace negotiations appear to be strong, and the risks inherent in the peace process are high.
A former fighter in the paramilitary United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), Cesar Augusto Torres Lujan, alias "Mono Vides," was a commander for the Paisas in Antioquia province. He died in a confrontation with police in 2010.
Mono Vides demobilized in 2006 along with the rest of the AUC's Mineros Bloc, including Rafael Alvarez Piñeda, alias "Chepe." With an estimated 80 followers, he later latched onto the Paisas, a paramilitary successor group made up mostly of former Mineros Bloc members, and became the de facto leader of approximately 400 combatants.
Mono Vides' operating area was in Taraza, Bajo Cauca region, in the province of Antioquia. He was killed by Colombian police on October 10, 2010.
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