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

This infamous drug-trafficking militia, with origins in far-right paramilitary forces, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's departments.

It monopolizes key people- and drug-smuggling 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 group has attempted to present itself as a political force, akin to other Colombian rebel groups.

This maneuver could secure it different terms in any potential negotiations. However, it is not widely considered to have concrete political objectives.

US Government Statement

In a recent announcement, the US secretary of state described 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 "a membership in the thousands" and that its "main revenue stream is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its armed operations."

Wider Implications

While other Colombian criminal groups have been listed as terrorist groups before, this designation is the initial under the current administration.

This administration has already designated multiple syndicates in Mexico and a pair in Venezuela.

Escalating Tensions

The decision is likely to exacerbate strains between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US policy against Venezuela.

This includes deadly airstrikes on vessels that have reportedly killed scores of people in Pacific and Caribbean waters.

The two presidents have traded public barbs for several weeks. After implying that any drug-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 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 used its so-called war on drugs to explain the strikes on boats it claims 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 armed groups have been on the US terror list for years.

• This includes the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also includes breakaway groups 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 capture and extradition of its top commander to the US in 2022.

Instead, the group unleashed a wave of violence, killing police officers and local leaders and holding large swaths of the country hostage.

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in fragile talks with the government. It is regarded as the key impediment to the president's stumbling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's many-sided armed conflict.