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The American administration has formally classified the Gulf Clan, the nation's most dominant and formidable criminal group, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This notorious drug-trafficking faction, with origins in right-wing paramilitary forces, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's provinces.

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

Political Posturing

In recent years, the cartel has attempted to present itself as a political force, akin to other Colombian rebel groups.

This maneuver could grant it more favorable terms in any potential negotiations. However, it is not widely considered to have tangible political objectives.

Official US Stance

In a recent statement, the US top diplomat described the Gulf Clan—which calls itself the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "violent and powerful criminal organisation."

He stated it has "a membership in the thousands" and that its "primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its violent activities."

Wider Implications

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

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

Escalating Tensions

The move is set to worsen tensions between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US pressure campaign against Venezuela.

This encompasses lethal military strikes on vessels that have reportedly killed scores of people in coastal waters.

The two presidents have exchanged sharp words for weeks. After warning that any drug-producing country was a possible focus, the US president specifically mentioned Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face himself some big problems if he doesn't change course."

The Colombian president retorted 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 ferrying drug shipments.

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

Previous Designations

Other Colombian armed groups have been on the US terror list for a long time.

• This encompasses the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also includes dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that took up arms again after the 2016 peace agreement.

Failed Weakening Attempts

Some authorities in Colombia had believed the Gulf Clan might be crippled by the arrest and deportation of its top commander to the US in 2022.

On the contrary, the group unleashed a campaign of terror, assassinating 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 fragile talks with the government. It is seen as the main obstacle to the president's struggling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's complex armed conflict.