The Conquering Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN), an organized armed group active across Colombia's Caribbean coastal regions, promised to end extortion efforts launched by the group from July 23 to October 23 on Tuesday, citing their desire to explore peace talks with the Colombian government. [1]
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The group announced their plans to pause extortion operations in a video on X, where members of the armed group can be seen with an arsenal of weaponry, including two Barrett 50-caliber sniper rifles, a Milkor grenade launcher, and several rifles including Galil’s and AKs . The group stated further that the ACSN is currently discussing logistical, social, and legal alternatives “to advance the search for peace.” [1]
According to Colombian authorities, the ACSN is known to extort various merchants, killing those who refuse to pay the group’s tax. In one such case, two individuals believed to be members of the ACSN were arrested alongside the alleged ringleader of the group, who led extortion efforts in the municipality of Zona Bananer. Following their arrest, a nine-millimeter pistol alongside 15 cartridges was seized, pointing to the possibility of lethal measures used by the group. [2]
Peace talks between the ACSN and the Colombian government began in February 2025 following an announcement by President Gustavo Petro’s government that a dialogue table with the ACSN would be established in the near future. [3] The announced dialogue with the ACSN is part of Petro’s “total peace” plan, a policy that intends to end the decades-long Colombian Conflict that has taken an estimated 450,000 lives through a series of ceasefires with the ultimate goal of disarmament of armed groups. [4]
Petro’s total peace plan has faced criticism, however, as those opposed claim the negotiated ceasefires only strengthen armed groups within Colombia. Opponents of Petro’s plan state that the lack of military engagements allows armed groups such as the ACSN, National Liberation Army (ELN), and dissident factions of the now defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to safely build up their strength for later engagements with security forces and rival armed groups. [5]
In a separate statement by the ACSN, the group denied having taken part in threats levied against Carlos Pinedo Cuello, the mayor of Santa Marta, and members of the mayor’s office. The group further stated that an individual identified by the alias “Coca Cola” was not a member of the ACSN, and the organization had not “authorized any kind of threat against any public official.” [6]
ACSN (@ACSN129068), “Comunicado ala opinión pública”, X, July 22, 2025, post
“La Policía asestó otro golpe contra las estructuras criminales en el Magdalena”, Policia Nacional de Colombia, July 14, 2025, https://www.policia.gov.co/noticia/policia-asesto-otro-golpe-contra-las-estructuras-criminales-en-magdalena
“Colombia opens peace talks with paramilitary Self-Defense Forces of Sierra Nevada”, The City Paper Bogota, February 24, 2025, https://thecitypaperbogota.com/news/colombia-opens-peace-talks-with-paramilitary-self-defense-forces-of-sierra-nevada/
“Petro’s Total Peace Plan Turns One: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”, Council on Foreign Relations, August 30, 2023, https://www.cfr.org/blog/petros-total-peace-plan-turns-one-good-bad-and-ugly
“Colombian armed groups have expanded during Petro's presidency, report finds”, Reuters, July 8, 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombian-armed-groups-have-expanded-during-petros-presidency-report-finds-2025-07-08/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
ACSN (@ACSN129068), Comunicado. Ala opinión pública desmentimos las amenaza en contra los funcionarios público de la alcaldía de santa Marta, X, July 22, 2025, post