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The US government has added to its list the Gulf Clan, the nation's largest and most powerful illegal armed group, as a terrorist entity.

This notorious drug-trafficking militia, with roots in far-right armed groups, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's provinces.

It monopolizes key people- and drug-smuggling routes through the treacherous Darién Gap and has clashed leftwing rebels for control of illicit operations along the Venezuelan border.

Political Posturing

In recent years, the cartel has sought to rebrand itself as a political force, like other Colombian insurgent factions.

This strategy could secure it more favorable terms in any potential negotiations. However, it is largely not viewed to have tangible political objectives.

Official US Stance

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

He stated it has "thousands of members" and that its "primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its brutal campaigns."

Broader Context

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

This administration has already designated multiple syndicates in Mexico and two in Venezuela.

Escalating Tensions

The move is expected to heighten tensions between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US pressure campaign against Venezuela.

This includes deadly airstrikes on vessels that have allegedly killed scores of people in coastal waters.

The two presidents have traded public barbs for weeks. After implying that any narcotics-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 warning his US counterpart to "avoid provoking a strong response" with threats of military action.

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

The US has used its so-called war on drugs to justify the strikes on boats it alleges are transporting illicit cargo.

The Colombian president has labeled these operations as "murder." Recently, the US military announced it had carried out new strikes 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 includes the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also covers breakaway groups 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 hoped the Gulf Clan might be weakened by the arrest and deportation of its top commander to the US in 2022.

Instead, the group unleashed a campaign of terror, assassinating police officers and local leaders and keeping vast areas of the country hostage.

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in fragile talks with the government. It is regarded as the key impediment to the president's struggling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's complex armed conflict.