Weekly Report - 12 July 2005

A string of paramilitary groups has rushed to announce their immediate demobilisation, apparently intent on beating any legal challenge to the 'justice and peace' law recently passed by congress [WR-05-25]. These include the second unit commanded by Diego Murillo and one of the largest groups, the Bloque Central Bolí­var (BCB), which operates across 11 departments. Tempering the enthusiasm of the authorities is apparent evidence that one of these groups has been inflating its numbers with new recruits.