This paper analyzes the informal practices derived from the involvement of armed actors in the development and organization of Colombian political parties. This is a preliminary study that evidences the relationship between paramilitary groups and political leadership in Colombia. The research is mainly focused on the examination of how and when the involvement between these two organizations took place and how the connections were made between them. Paramilitary organizations created authentic, local paramilitary-influenced government, becoming part of the new regional elites. Violence and clientelism were the most commonly used strategies to expand their connections within the political leadership, the political parties, and the elections to the Senate and the House of Representatives. Resumen Este trabajo analiza las practicas informales que se derivan de la implicacion de actores armados en el desarrollo y organizacion de los partidos politicos en Colombia. Se trata de un estudio preliminar que pone de manifiesto la relacion entre grupos paramilitares y clase politica colombiana. El problema central de esta investigacion es examinar como y cuando se llevo a cabo esta union entre grupos paramilitares y politicos y, como se tejieron las redes entre estos dos actores. Los grupos paramilitares crearon autenticos paraestados locales, conformandose como las nuevas elites regionales. La violencia y el clientelismo fueron las estrategias utilizadas para extender sus redes en la clase politica, en los partidos politicos y en las elecciones al Senado y a la Camara de Representantes.