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The US government has formally classified the Gulf Clan, the nation's largest and most powerful criminal group, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This infamous narcotics-smuggling faction, with roots in far-right armed groups, operates in at least 20 of Colombia's departments.

It controls key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has clashed leftist rebels for control of criminal networks along the Venezuelan border.

A Political Facade?

In the past few years, the cartel has tried to portray itself as a political movement, akin to other Colombian rebel groups.

This strategy could secure it different terms in any potential peace talks. However, it is generally not seen to have concrete political objectives.

Official US Stance

In a recent announcement, the US secretary of state labeled the Gulf Clan—which calls itself the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "brutal and influential criminal organisation."

He emphasized it has "a membership in the thousands" 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 listed as terror entities before, this designation is the first under the present US government.

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

Growing Diplomatic Strain

The action is expected to heighten tensions between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US policy against Venezuela.

This includes lethal military strikes on vessels that have allegedly killed scores of people in coastal 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 specifically mentioned Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "is going to have significant difficulties if he doesn't change course."

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

The "War on Drugs" Justification

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

The Colombian president has labeled these attacks as "murder." Early on Tuesday, the US military announced it had carried out further attacks on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, leading to eight fatalities.

Previous Designations

Other Colombian criminal organisations have been on the US terror list for years.

• This includes the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also covers 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 hoped the Gulf Clan might be weakened by the capture and extradition of its main leader to the US in 2022.

On the contrary, the group unleashed a wave of violence, killing police officers and local leaders and keeping vast areas of the country hostage.

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in stalled 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.