B63 Puerto Colombia, Guainia COLOMBIA 1963

Exactly. As I was saying, the commanders reach an agreement. They meet and reach an agreement, which translates to a monthly income in dollars. For instance, if we work together, every week they get $15,000, $20,000 dollars, depending on what they do. In the alliance they form with us, the benefits go to both parties. The government benefits, and we benefit. . . . The National Guard even sends people dressed as civilians to work with us. Right? With rifles and everything, very official. To make sure everything works, and for back up. . . .    

On the Columbian side, the National Police are in charge. Now, if one of our commanders decides to go and talk to one of their commanders, and they come to an agreement, then goods can pass that way too. But it needs to be something very important. Something valuable. Like a shipment of whiskey. A shipment of watches. A shipment of something special. . . .

— Anonymous tax collector for National Liberation Army (ENL) quoted in Vice News, “This River is One of Latin America’s Most Contentious Borders,” 2021

back to All