Abstract

ACEVEDO TARAZONA, Álvaro; CORREA LUGOS, Andrés  and  MEJIA JEREZ, Andrea. Social cleaning: The case of “La Mano Negra” in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Rev. Mex. Sociol [online]. 2022, vol.84, n.2, pp.389-416.  Epub May 09, 2022. ISSN 2594-0651.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iis.01882503p.2022.2.60282.

During the 1980s, violence increased significantly in the main Colombian cities. However, a form of violence stands out, that known by the media as “social cleansing”, aimed at expeditiously eliminating population sectors allegedly involved in crime, drug addiction, prostitution, and subversion. The article analyzes the modus operandi, patterns, and justifications of “La Mano Negra”, a death squad that committed murders in the city of Bucaramanga (Colombia). The article proposes that such a form of violence is a symptom of the institutional insufficiency to provide security, justice, and well-being to the community.

Keywords : human rights; urban warfare; torture; violence.

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