Colombia: Autodefensas de la Sierra impose criminal justice in rural areas

In a region of Colombia, the Autodefensas de la Sierra, an armed group, are acting as de facto judicial authority, determining guilt and punishment in local disputes. The quote from María Alejandra Villamizar indicates that witnesses are intimidated and the group's verdicts are final, highlighting the erosion of state control. This underscores the expansion of criminal governance in rural territories, with implications for security and rule of law.