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The United States has added to its list the Gulf Clan, the nation's largest and most powerful criminal organization, as a foreign terrorist organization.

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

It monopolizes key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the treacherous Darién Gap and has clashed leftwing rebels for control of criminal networks along the shared border.

Political Posturing

In recent years, the organization has sought to rebrand itself as a political force, similar to other Colombian rebel groups.

This maneuver could grant it different conditions in any potential peace talks. However, it is not widely considered to have concrete political objectives.

US Government Statement

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

He noted 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 listed as terrorist groups before, this designation is the initial under the current administration.

This government has previously targeted multiple syndicates 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 policy against Venezuela.

This encompasses deadly airstrikes on vessels that have reportedly killed numerous people in Pacific and Caribbean waters.

The two presidents have exchanged sharp words for several weeks. After warning that any drug-producing country was a possible focus, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face significant difficulties if he doesn't wise up."

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

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

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

The Colombian president has labeled these attacks as "unlawful killing." Recently, the US military announced it had conducted new strikes on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, leading to eight fatalities.

Previous Designations

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

• 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 Colombian officials 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 unleashed a wave of violence, killing police officers and local leaders and holding vast areas of the country in a state of fear.

Obstacle to Peace

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in stalled talks with the government. It is seen as the key impediment to the president's struggling "comprehensive peace" plan, which aims to end the country's multifaceted armed conflict.