American politicians and NGOs continue to pressure the government to crack down on the AUC. But the army is reluctant to do so. The AUC is increasingly effective against leftist rebels and drug gangs. Moreover, the AUC is as ruthless as the leftist rebels, something the army cannot do lest they lose their American aid. The government says it has killed 34 AUC militiamen and captured 188 so far this year. For their part, the leftist rebels have been more successful in hiding their own atrocities while spotlighting those of the AUC.