Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia
- proper noun
- NSFW
:
Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia
- In 1997, the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia were formed to unite various militias.
Examples
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The Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia were known for their violent campaign against leftist guerrilla groups.
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International observers have condemned the human rights abuses committed by the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.
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In peace negotiations, the government demanded the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia lay down their arms.
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The Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia were involved in numerous violent conflicts.
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In peace negotiations, the government demanded the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia lay down their arms.
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International observers have condemned the human rights abuses committed by the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia.
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The Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia were known for their violent campaign against leftist guerrilla groups.
Synonyms
3
9.9
A group of armed fighters in Colombia paid for by drug money and known for violence
A former illegal armed group in Colombia that used violence and sold drugs
A right-wing armed group in Colombia that deals in drugs and uses violence
An illegal armed group in Colombia formed in 1997 that fought and sold drugs
Surface Forms
Morphology
Autodefensas + Unidas + de + Colombia
The phrase is compositional in Spanish — Autodefensas (self-defenses), Unidas (united), de Colombia (of Colombia) — so a learner who knows the constituent words can infer it names a united defensive group in Colombia. However, as a proper name for a specific paramilitary/terrorist organization with criminal/narcotics associations, the full socio-political meaning and negative connotations are not predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia literally means 'United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia'. The name comes from local groups who 'defended themselves'—autodefensas are groups protecting their communities and unidas shows they 'joined together', so the name describes an organization of joined armed groups in Colombia.