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The American administration has officially designated the Gulf Clan, the nation's most dominant and formidable illegal armed organization, as a terrorist entity.

This infamous narcotics-smuggling faction, with origins in right-wing paramilitary forces, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's regions.

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

A Political Facade?

In the past few years, the group has tried to portray itself as a political force, like other Colombian insurgent factions.

This maneuver could grant it more favorable terms in any potential peace talks. However, it is not widely considered to have genuine political aims.

Official US Stance

In a Tuesday's statement, 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 emphasized it has "a membership in the thousands" and that its "primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its brutal campaigns."

Wider Implications

While other Colombian armed factions have been listed as terror entities before, this decision is the first under the current administration.

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

Escalating Tensions

The decision is set to worsen strains 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 scores of people in coastal waters.

The two leaders have traded public barbs for several weeks. After warning that any drug-producing country was a possible focus, the US president specifically mentioned Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face himself some big problems if he doesn't change course."

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

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

The US has cited its anti-narcotics campaign to justify the maritime attacks it claims are transporting illicit cargo.

The Colombian president has described these operations as "unlawful killing." Recently, the US military stated it had carried out new strikes 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.

Unsuccessful Strategies

Some authorities in Colombia had hoped the Gulf Clan might be weakened by the arrest and deportation of its main leader to the US in 2022.

On the contrary, the group initiated a campaign of terror, killing police officers and local leaders and keeping large swaths of the country hostage.

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now involved in halting talks with the government. It is regarded as the main obstacle to the president's stumbling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's complex armed conflict.