Illegal gold mining fuels violence in Colombia

Antioquia has been the heartland of the Colombian gold trade since colonial times. Since the early years of this century, as the price of the precious metal has risen, the region has experienced a violent gold rush as leftist guerrillas, neo-paramilitary outfits and drug trafficking groups have established their presence to control mining operations.

Illegally mined gold is fuelling violence as gold has overtaken cocaine as the main source of revenue for armed groups.

Source: Aljazeera