Abstract

FERNANDEZ-OSORIO, Andrés Eduardo; PAEZ MURILLO, Carlos Augusto; ISAZA QUEBRADA, Jorge Alonso  and  BARACALDO SIERRA, Sandra Milena. Illegal mining in Río Quito: actors, sovereignty and narratives of legitimisation in the heart of Chocó. Rev. Crim. [online]. 2025, vol.67, n.1, pp.147-165.  Epub Apr 19, 2025. ISSN 1794-3108.  https://doi.org/10.47741/17943108.648.

This article explores the complex relationships between the state, civil society and illegal armed groups in the context of illegal gold mining in Río Quito, Chocó, from 2016 to 2024. Through a qualitative analysis of academic and media documentary sources, as well as media and interviews, the evolution of this phenomenon was reconstructed and the main actors involved were identified. The aim is to characterise the physical space, the community, the illegal armed groups and the Brigade Against the Illegal Exploitation of Mining Deposits of the Colombian National Army (BRCMI). The results show that the exploitation of natural resources has become a source of conflict and violence and that armed groups have used illegal mining as a strategy to consolidate their power and control of the territory. It concludes that, in order to address this problem effectively, a comprehensive intervention combining security, development and institutional strengthening is required.

Keywords : Social conflict; Colombia; armed conflict; National Army; illegal mining; poverty.

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