The group known as Los Pepes, or People Persecuted by Pablo Escobar, emerged in January 1993 (Latin American Weekly Report 4 Mar. 1993, 105). The organization is reportedly comprised of former associates of Escobar who attempted to gain control of his drug interests while he was in prison (ibid.). Los Pepes subsequently burnt or bombed the property of Escobar, his family and associates, murdered members of his entourage and forced his wife and children to flee the country (Latinamerica Press 18 Mar. 1993, 1). The group's attacks also prompted the surrender to police of a number of Escobar's colleagues (ibid.). The government offered large financial rewards for information leading to the arrest of the group's members (Keesing's Apr. 1993, 39410).

Los Pepes was responsible for a series of bomb blasts in Medellin in early 1993 (Keesing's Feb. 1993, 39313). Although the group claimed it disbanded its "terrorist group" in April (ibid. Apr. 1993, 39410), its attacks continued through November 1993 (ibid. May 1993, 39457; ibid. Nov. 1993, 39733).

For additional information on Los Pepes, please refer to the attached documents.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. November 1993. Vol. 39, No. 11. "Colombia: Anti-Escobar Vigilante Group-Killing of Escobar."

. May 1993. Vol. 39, No. 5. "Colombia: Surrender Offers by Drug Cartel Chiefs."

. April 1993. Vol. 39, No. 4. "Colombia: Doubling of Sentences for Terrorism."

. February 1993. Vol. 39, No. 2. "Colombia: Increased Security."

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 18 March 1993. Vol. 25, No. 9. Leslie Wirpsa. "Colombia Vigilantes Join Hunt for Pablo Escobar."

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 4 March 1993. "Colombia: Private Campaigns to Get Escobar."

Attachments

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. November 1993. Vol. 39, No. 11. "Colombia: Anti-Escobar Vigilante Group-Killing of Escobar."

. May 1993. Vol. 39, No. 5. "Colombia: Surrender Offers by Drug Cartel Chiefs."

. April 1993. Vol. 39, No. 4. "Colombia: Doubling of Sentences for Terrorism."

. March 1993. Vol. 39, No. 3. "Colombia: Further Cartel Setbacks."

. February 1993. Vol. 39, No. 2. "Colombia: Increased Security."

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 18 March 1993. Vol. 25, No. 9. Leslie Wirpsa. "Colombia Vigilantes Join Hunt for Pablo Escobar," pp. 1-2.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 4 March 1993. "Colombia: Private Campaigns to Get Escobar," p. 105.