In Colombia, where it is estimated that 5% of the world’s coltan deposits are located, illegal coltan mining is historically associated with the demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Bandas Criminales (splinter groups created from the remnants of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) paramilitary group, known as BACRIM)) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), designated as a terrorist group by the US and EU, are also known to engage in illicit gold mining activities in many departments of Colombia as well as Venezuela, where their links with the latter’s government enable them to profit from these operations, despite Colombia’s efforts to tackle them. Criminal activities include extorting ASM miners, acquiring legal mines, illegally extracting gold, bribing officials, and laundering proceeds through legal companies.