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The United States has formally classified the Gulf Clan, the nation's most dominant and formidable criminal group, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This notorious drug-trafficking faction, with roots in far-right paramilitary forces, operates in at least 20 of Colombia's departments.

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

A Political Facade?

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

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

US Government Statement

In a recent statement, the US top diplomat described the Gulf Clan—which goes by the name the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "brutal and influential criminal organisation."

He emphasized it has "a membership in the thousands" and that its "primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its armed operations."

Wider Implications

While other Colombian criminal groups have been listed as terrorist groups before, this decision is the initial under the present US government.

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

Growing Diplomatic Strain

The decision is likely to exacerbate 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 presidents have exchanged sharp words for weeks. After implying that any narcotics-producing country was a potential target, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face himself some big problems if he doesn't wise up."

The Colombian president retorted by warning his US counterpart to "not wake the jaguar" with threats of military action.

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

The US has used its so-called anti-narcotics campaign to explain the maritime attacks it alleges are ferrying drug shipments.

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

Other Listed Groups

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

• This includes the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also includes breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that resumed fighting 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 initiated a campaign of terror, killing police officers and local leaders and holding large swaths of the country hostage.

Obstacle to Peace

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