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The American administration has formally classified the Gulf Clan, Colombia's largest and most powerful illegal armed organization, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This notorious drug-trafficking militia, with origins in right-wing paramilitary forces, operates in at least 20 of Colombia's departments.

It dominates key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the treacherous Darién Gap and has clashed leftist 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 rebel groups.

This strategy could grant it more favorable terms in any potential peace talks. However, it is largely not viewed to have genuine political aims.

US Government Statement

In a Tuesday's announcement, the US top diplomat 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 "a membership in the thousands" and that its "main revenue stream is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its violent activities."

Broader Context

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

This government has already designated six cartels in Mexico and two in Venezuela.

Escalating Tensions

The decision is expected to heighten tensions between the US and Colombia's president, who has vocally criticized the US policy against Venezuela.

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

The two leaders have traded public barbs for several weeks. After implying that any narcotics-producing country was a possible focus, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face significant difficulties if he doesn't change course."

The Colombian president responded by cautioning his US counterpart to "avoid provoking a strong response" with threats of military action.

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

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

The Colombian president has described these attacks as "murder." Early on Tuesday, the US military stated it had carried out new strikes on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, resulting in eight fatalities.

Other Listed Groups

Other Colombian armed groups have been on the US foreign terrorist organisations list for years.

• 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 crippled by the arrest and deportation 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 holding large swaths of the country hostage.

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now involved in halting talks with the government. It is seen as the key impediment to the president's stumbling "comprehensive peace" plan, which aims to end the country's multifaceted armed conflict.