paramilitar

paramilitary

adjective pah-rah-mee-lee-TAHR Rare

Usage Note

Paramilitar functions as both adjective and noun (common gender: el/la paramilitar). It describes armed groups that operate alongside or independently of official military forces, often in contexts of civil conflict. It is a loaded term in Latin American political reporting, particularly regarding Colombia's history.

Examples

"Las fuerzas paramilitares operaban en zonas remotas."

Natural Translation

The paramilitary forces operated in remote areas.

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