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The American administration has formally classified the Gulf Clan, Colombia's most dominant and formidable illegal armed organization, as a terrorist entity.

This notorious narcotics-smuggling militia, with roots in far-right armed groups, operates in at least 20 of Colombia's provinces.

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

A Political Facade?

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

This strategy could secure it more favorable terms 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 secretary of state 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 "main revenue stream is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its violent activities."

Broader Context

While other Colombian armed factions have been designated as terror entities before, this designation is the initial under the present US government.

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

Growing Diplomatic Strain

The action is set to worsen strains between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US policy against Venezuela.

This includes lethal military strikes on vessels that have reportedly killed numerous people in coastal waters.

The two leaders have traded public barbs for weeks. After warning that any narcotics-producing country was a possible focus, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "is going to have significant difficulties if he doesn't change course."

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

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

The US has cited its war on drugs to justify the strikes on boats it claims are ferrying drug shipments.

The Colombian president has described these attacks 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.

Previous Designations

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

• This encompasses the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also covers dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that resumed fighting after the 2016 peace agreement.

Failed Weakening Attempts

Some Colombian officials had believed the Gulf Clan might be crippled by the capture and extradition of its main leader to the US in 2022.

Instead, the group unleashed a wave of violence, assassinating police officers and local leaders and holding large swaths of the country hostage.

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in stalled talks with the government. It is regarded as the primary barrier to the president's stumbling "comprehensive peace" plan, which aims to end the country's many-sided armed conflict.