US Labels Colombian Top Narcotics Cartel Gulf Clan as Terror Group.

The American administration has added to its list the Gulf Clan, Colombia's largest and most powerful criminal organization, as a terrorist entity.

This infamous narcotics-smuggling militia, with origins in far-right armed groups, operates in at least 20 of Colombia's departments.

It monopolizes key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the treacherous Darién Gap and has fought leftist rebels for control of illicit operations along the shared border.

Political Posturing

In the past few years, the group has attempted to present itself as a political movement, akin to other Colombian rebel groups.

This maneuver could grant it different conditions in any potential negotiations. However, it is largely not viewed to have concrete political objectives.

Official US Stance

In a recent announcement, the US secretary of state described the Gulf Clan—which calls itself the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "brutal and influential criminal organisation."

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

Wider Implications

While other Colombian armed factions have been designated as terrorist groups before, this ruling is the first under the present US government.

This government has previously targeted multiple syndicates in Mexico and two in Venezuela.

Growing Diplomatic Strain

The action is likely to exacerbate strains between the US and Colombia's president, who has vocally criticized the US policy against Venezuela.

This encompasses lethal military strikes on vessels that have allegedly 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 specifically mentioned Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "is going to have himself some big problems if he doesn't wise up."

The Colombian president responded by warning his US counterpart to "avoid provoking a strong response" with militaristic threats.

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

The US has used its so-called war on drugs to explain the maritime attacks it claims are transporting illicit cargo.

The Colombian president has described these attacks as "unlawful killing." Early on Tuesday, the US military stated it had carried out new strikes on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, leading to eight fatalities.

Previous Designations

Other Colombian armed groups have been on the US terror list for years.

• This encompasses the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also includes breakaway groups 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 hoped the Gulf Clan might be weakened by the capture and extradition of its top commander to the US in 2022.

Instead, the group unleashed a campaign of terror, killing police officers and local leaders and keeping vast areas of the country in a state of fear.

Obstacle to Peace

The Gulf Clan is now involved in fragile talks with the government. It is seen as the main obstacle to the president's struggling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's many-sided armed conflict.