🔗 Share this article United States Labels Colombian Top Narcotics Cartel Gulf Clan as Terrorist Organization. The US government has added to its list the Gulf Clan, Colombia's largest and most powerful illegal armed organization, as a terrorist entity. This notorious drug-trafficking militia, with roots in right-wing armed groups, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's provinces. It dominates key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has battled leftist rebels for control of illicit operations along the shared border. Political Posturing In recent years, the group has sought to rebrand itself as a political movement, similar to other Colombian rebel groups. This maneuver could grant it different conditions in any potential negotiations. However, it is not widely considered to have genuine political aims. Official US Stance In a recent announcement, the US top diplomat described the Gulf Clan—which calls itself the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "violent and powerful criminal organisation." He noted it has "thousands of members" and that its "primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its violent activities." Wider Implications While other Colombian criminal groups have been designated as terror entities before, this decision is the initial under the current administration. This administration has previously targeted multiple syndicates in Mexico and a pair in Venezuela. Growing Diplomatic Strain The move is set to worsen strains between the US and Colombia's president, who has vocally criticized the US pressure campaign against Venezuela. This encompasses deadly airstrikes on vessels that have reportedly killed scores of people in coastal waters. The two leaders have exchanged sharp words for weeks. After warning that any drug-producing country was a possible focus, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face significant difficulties if he doesn't change course." The Colombian president responded by cautioning his US counterpart to "avoid provoking a strong response" with militaristic threats. Narco-Trafficking as Pretext The US has cited its war on drugs to justify the strikes on boats it alleges are ferrying drug shipments. The Colombian president has described these attacks as "murder." Early on Tuesday, the US military stated it had carried out further attacks on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, resulting in eight fatalities. Previous Designations Other Colombian armed groups have been on the US foreign terrorist organisations list for a long time. This encompasses the National Liberation Army (ELN). It also covers dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that took up arms again after the landmark peace agreement. Failed Weakening Attempts Some Colombian officials had believed the Gulf Clan might be crippled by the arrest and deportation of its main leader to the US in 2022. Instead, the group unleashed a campaign of terror, assassinating police officers and local leaders and keeping large swaths of the country hostage. Obstacle to Peace The Gulf Clan is now involved in stalled talks with the government. It is considered the main obstacle to the president's stumbling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's complex armed conflict.