Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia
n : a terrorist organization in Colombia formed in 1997 as an
umbrella for local and regional paramilitary groups; is
financed by earnings from narcotics and serves to protect
the economic interests of its members; "the AUC conducted
over 800 assassinations in one year" [syn: United
Self-Defense Force of Colombia, United Self-Defense
Group of Colombia, AUC]