A new country report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) reveals an alarming and increasingly coordinated far-right movement in Colombia tied to international extremist networks that exacerbate the country’s political and social tensions. It’s the latest in GPAHE’s ongoing series documenting the growth and transnational nature of far-right extremist movements in countries across the globe. The report reveals how these groups exploit Colombia’s historical inequalities, political violence, and current instability.
Below are the report’s 10 most revealing findings on the current landscape of the Colombian far right:
1. Far-right groups are concentrated in major urban centers.
Groups such as Batallón Cóndor 88, Comando Radical Nacionalista, and Tercera Fuerza operate primarily in Bogotá and Medellín, each promoting neo-Nazi, white nationalist, anti-immigrant, and anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies. Despite differing agendas, these organizations often share overlapping membership, collaborate on violent activities, and reinforce each other’s propaganda, amplifying their impact on marginalized communities and the broader political climate.
2. Links to Europe and Latin America expand their reach.
The report identifies direct connections between Colombian extremists and far-right groups in Spain, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. These transnational ties facilitate the exchange of propaganda, strategies, and financial support, strengthening their capacity to influence discourse and organize coordinated campaigns.
3. Their narratives clash with Colombia’s multiethnic identity.
Colombia’s diverse cultural heritage—spanning Indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and other communities—stands in sharp contrast to the racist and xenophobic ideologies pushed by these groups. This ideological disconnect fuels polarization and seeks to erase the country’s pluralistic identity.
4. Hate crimes target marginalized communities.
Victims of these groups include Afro-Colombians, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants. The report underscores the calculated nature of these attacks on vulnerable communities, which aim to marginalize, silence, and displace minority populations.
5. Violent incidents are escalating against immigrants.
The report documents significant violence linked to far-right actors, including coordinated attacks on immigrant communities, particularly Venezuelans, and calls for forced displacement. These actions directly threaten Colombia’s social cohesion.
6. Propaganda saturates both public spaces and the Internet.
Far-right groups use social media, street graffiti, posters, rallies, MMA training, and a heavy online presence to spread antisemitic, racist, and ultra-nationalist messages. These propaganda campaigns are designed to normalize hate and attract new recruits.
7. Paramilitary and criminal alliances amplify danger.
Colombian far-right extremists have at times aligned with paramilitary organizations and criminal networks, gaining access to weapons, logistical support, and tactics. This convergence greatly increases their ability to carry out violent acts and spread fear.
8. Neo-Nazi influence reaches into political institutions.
One of the most disturbing findings details historic cases where individuals with neo-Nazi ties held positions within government structures. Such infiltration blurs the line between fringe extremism and institutional power.
9. Global extremist networks are tightening their grip.
Beyond Latin America and Spain, Colombian far-right groups like Active Club Bogotá are cultivating ties with extremist organizations in the United States. This global network enables rapid coordination and cross-border mobilization around shared causes.
10. A call for urgent, coordinated action.
The report warns that without decisive action from Colombian authorities, civil society, and the international community, far-right extremism could become a deeply enduring threat.
Colombia’s far-right movement is no longer a fringe phenomenon. It is deeply embedded in political and social structures, and linked to a global extremist ecosystem. The GPAHE report serves as both a warning and a road map for those committed to defending democracy, protecting vulnerable communities, and preventing further hate-fueled violence.
