2014/2015 Buenaventura is a port city situated on the Pacific coast and is known to be the most violent in Colombia due to the conflict between the various neo-paramilitary organizations. These are contending for the control of the port areas and the river, strategic points for the trafficking of drugs and weapons. In addition to profits from these illegal activities, extortion and other acts of intimidation toward traders are among the main sources of revenue for the organizations. Through the years, thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes and move from one quarter to another because of the ongoing conflict. The neo-paramilitaries are the authors of the killing, dismemberment and disappearance of anyone who opposes to their interests. To carry out these acts of brutal violence, they often use chop-up houses (Casas de pique). Each district is under the influence of different factions and the daily life on the streets is "regulated" by local armed gangs that work for them. In March 2014, the government has militarized the city in order to protect the population, which for 80% lives below the poverty threshold and in fear of being involved in violent actions. The poorest areas are fertile ground for recruitment by armed groups and often even very young boys begin soon their "career" inside violence. Thanks to the military presence and the effort of the community, in 2015 the situation has become slightly more stable, although waves of violence still happen periodically.
