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. HistoryThe ACSN originated from the Bloque Resistencia Tayrona (BRT) of the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia – AUC), commanded by Hernán Giraldo Serna. GeographyThere are different estimates of the number of members in the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada. The Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada have also formed alliances with smaller drug trafficking networks. PerspectivesSince its inception, the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience and ability to recover from setbacks.