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The American administration has formally classified the Gulf Clan, Colombia's largest and most powerful illegal armed organization, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This infamous drug-trafficking faction, with origins in right-wing armed groups, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's provinces.

It controls key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has clashed leftwing rebels for control of illicit operations along the shared border.

A Political Facade?

In recent years, the group has tried to portray itself as a political movement, akin to other Colombian insurgent factions.

This maneuver could secure it more favorable conditions in any potential negotiations. However, it is not widely considered to have genuine political aims.

US Government Statement

In a Tuesday's 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 emphasized it has "thousands of members" and that its "main revenue stream is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its armed operations."

Broader Context

While other Colombian armed factions have been listed as terrorist groups before, this designation is the initial under the current administration.

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

Escalating Tensions

The move is set to worsen tensions between the US and Colombia's president, who has vocally criticized the US pressure campaign against Venezuela.

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

The two presidents have traded public barbs for weeks. After warning that any narcotics-producing country was a possible focus, the US president specifically mentioned Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face significant difficulties if he doesn't wise up."

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

The "War on Drugs" Justification

The US has cited its anti-narcotics campaign to justify the strikes on boats it alleges are transporting illicit cargo.

The Colombian president has described these operations as "murder." Recently, the US military announced it had conducted new strikes on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, resulting in eight fatalities.

Previous Designations

Other Colombian criminal organisations have been on the US terror list for a long time.

• This includes 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.

Unsuccessful Strategies

Some authorities in Colombia had believed the Gulf Clan might be weakened by the capture and extradition of its main leader to the US in 2022.

Instead, the group initiated a wave of violence, assassinating police officers and local leaders and keeping vast areas of the country hostage.

Obstacle to Peace

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in fragile talks with the government. It is considered the primary barrier to the president's struggling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's multifaceted armed conflict.