{
  "id": 327525,
  "title": "Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/conquering-self-defense-forces-of-the-sierra-nevada-acsn",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T17:15:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "InSight Crime",
    "slug": "insight-crime",
    "url": "https://insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/pachenca/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada, also known as Los Pachenca, is an armed group that emerged from the paramilitary army led by Hernán Giraldo in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region of Colombia. After Giraldo's demobilization in 2006, the group gained control of drug trafficking routes and expanded its influence. In 2022, they sought to participate in peace talks with the Colombian government. The group's leadership has been linked to Hernán Giraldo and his family, with various leaders assuming control over the years. After the deaths of key leaders like \"Chucho Mercancía\" and \"80,\" Hernán Giraldo's nephew, Deimer Patiño Giraldo, took the helm as Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada. In 2024, the ACSN announced a cessation of its \"military operations\" following the initiation of socio-legal conversations with the Colombian government.",
  "summary": "Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN) The Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada – ACSN), also known as Los Pachenca, is an armed group that emerged following the demobilization in 2006 of the paramilitary army led by Hernán Giraldo, alias “El Patrón,” on Colombia's Caribbean coast. The post Conquering Self Defense…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}