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The US government has added to its list the Gulf Clan, Colombia's largest and most powerful criminal group, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This notorious narcotics-smuggling militia, with origins in right-wing paramilitary forces, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's provinces.

It dominates key people- and drug-smuggling routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has fought leftwing rebels for control of criminal networks along the shared 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 conditions in any potential negotiations. However, it is largely not viewed to have tangible 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 "brutal and influential criminal organisation."

He emphasized it has "thousands of members" and that its "main revenue stream is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its armed operations."

Broader Context

While other Colombian criminal groups have been designated as terror entities before, this ruling is the first under the current administration.

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

Growing Diplomatic Strain

The move 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 allegedly killed scores of people in Pacific and Caribbean waters.

The two presidents 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 "is going to have significant difficulties if he doesn't change course."

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 used its so-called war on drugs to explain the maritime attacks it alleges are transporting illicit cargo.

The Colombian president has described these operations as "unlawful killing." Recently, the US military stated it had carried out further attacks on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, leading to eight fatalities.

Other Listed Groups

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

• This encompasses 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.

Failed Weakening Attempts

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

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

Obstacle to Peace

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