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The United States has formally classified the Gulf Clan, Colombia's largest and most powerful criminal group, as a terrorist entity.

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

It dominates key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has fought leftwing rebels for control of illicit operations along the Venezuelan border.

Political Posturing

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

This strategy could secure it more favorable conditions in any potential negotiations. However, it is largely not viewed to have concrete political objectives.

US Government Statement

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

Wider Implications

While other Colombian criminal groups have been designated as terrorist groups before, this decision is the first under the current administration.

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

Escalating Tensions

The decision is set to worsen tensions between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US pressure campaign 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 implying that any narcotics-producing country was a potential target, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "is going to have significant difficulties if he doesn't wise up."

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

The "War on Drugs" Justification

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

The Colombian president has described these attacks as "murder." Early on Tuesday, the US military stated it had conducted 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 terror list for years.

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

Failed Weakening Attempts

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

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

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in fragile talks with the government. It is considered the main obstacle to the president's stumbling "comprehensive peace" plan, which aims to end the country's many-sided armed conflict.