🔗 Share this article

The American administration has officially designated the Gulf Clan, the nation's largest and most powerful illegal armed organization, as a terrorist entity.

This notorious drug-trafficking militia, with origins in far-right paramilitary forces, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's departments.

It controls key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has fought leftwing rebels for control of criminal networks along the Venezuelan border.

Political Posturing

In recent years, the organization has attempted to present itself as a political force, like other Colombian rebel groups.

This strategy could grant it more favorable terms in any potential negotiations. However, it is generally not seen to have tangible political aims.

US Government Statement

In a recent statement, the US top diplomat labeled the Gulf Clan—which calls itself the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "violent and powerful criminal organisation."

He stated it has "a membership in the thousands" and that its "main revenue stream is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its brutal campaigns."

Broader Context

While other Colombian armed factions have been designated as terror entities before, this designation is the initial under the current administration.

This administration has already designated six cartels in Mexico and two in Venezuela.

Growing Diplomatic Strain

The move is likely to exacerbate strains between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US pressure campaign against Venezuela.

This includes lethal military strikes on vessels that have reportedly killed numerous people in Pacific and Caribbean waters.

The two leaders have traded public barbs for several weeks. After implying that any drug-producing country was a potential target, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "is going to have significant difficulties if he doesn't wise up."

The Colombian president retorted by cautioning his US counterpart to "not wake the jaguar" with militaristic threats.

The "War on Drugs" Justification

The US has used its so-called war on drugs to justify the maritime attacks it claims are ferrying drug shipments.

The Colombian president has described these operations as "murder." Early on Tuesday, the US military stated it had conducted further attacks on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, leading to eight fatalities.

Other Listed Groups

Other Colombian criminal organisations have been on the US foreign terrorist organisations list for years.

• This encompasses the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also includes dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that took up arms again after the 2016 peace agreement.

Failed Weakening Attempts

Some Colombian officials had believed the Gulf Clan might be weakened by the capture and extradition of its top commander to the US in 2022.

On the contrary, the group unleashed a campaign of terror, killing police officers and local leaders and keeping large swaths of the country hostage.

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in stalled talks with the government. It is regarded as the primary barrier to the president's stumbling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's many-sided armed conflict.