Although considered inactive as a terrorist group, the United Popular Liberation Army of America submitted a petition in 2002 to have the Mexican government investigate human rights abuses against some of its members in the 1960s.  There is little reason to believe that the group is still intact.  On the contrary, this petition is likely the action of a few of the group's former members using the name for symbolic purposes.

The United Revolutionary Front is a defunct terrorist group that once operated in Caracas, Venezuela.  During its short-lived existence, the group was linked to a handful of terrorist incidents.  The United Revolutionary Front detonated several bombs during 1997-1998 in apparent opposition to the acting government at that time.  <P> United Revolutionary Front's violent attacks were defended by the group on political grounds.  The group claimed it was expressing discontent with a democratic political system that only benefited the rich and was rife with corruption.  They criticized then-President Rafael Caldera's policies on the grounds that his policies of oil sector privatization had unduly increased Venezuela's dependence on the United States of America.  The group claimed that the privatization decision was made without fully consulting the Venezuelan people.  While the group exhibited signs of anti-globalization and communist sentiments, not enough information is known to determine if the group had any such broad ideological goals.

The United Revolutionary Front engaged in terrorism to protest the administration of democratically elected President Rafael Cadera.  In 1999, Caldera was replaced by current Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.  Since Chavez's succession to power, the United Revolutionary Front has not been linked to any terrorist incidents.

United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)

Self-Defense Groups of Cordoba and Uraba (ACCU) -- Founding Group and Faction

The United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) was formed to combat leftist terrorist organizations operating in Colombia, primarily the FARC and ELN.  The AUC grew out of local paramilitary and self-defense groups formed in the 1980s.  These groups were dedicated to protecting the economic interests of wealthy citizens and of the state from the Communist-inspired guerilla movements that threatened them. <P><br /><br />At first, the various paramilitary groups enjoyed the tacit approval of the Colombian military.  The military even cooperated with the AUC in the fight against leftist guerillas.  Eventually, however, the close financial connections between the paramilitaries and local drug cartels forced the military to officially sever ties with the AUC in 1989.  Despite this, the military and the AUC have been accused of continuing their collaboration unofficially, and the AUC recruits many former military personnel.  <P> <br /><br />The AUC functions as an umbrella organization comprised of independently-operated groups.  One of these paramilitaries, the Peasant Self-Defense Group of C&#243;rdoba and Urab&#225; (ACCU), is thought to have spearheaded the formation of the AUC.  Furthermore, Carlos Casta&#241;o Gil, the co-founder and leader of the ACCU, is recognized as the on-again/off-again AUC leader.  <P><br /><br />The AUC serves the interests of Colombian economic elites, drug traffickers, and any local communities that do not support the leftist rebels. According to the AUC, its primary objective is to protect its supporters from leftist guerillas. Clearly, however, the AUC is also keenly interested in controlling the drug trade, which is its primary source of earnings. AUC leader Carlos Casta&#241;o Gil claims that 70 percent of the AUC's operational costs are funded by drug-related sources. <p><br />