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The US government has added to its list the Gulf Clan, Colombia's most dominant and formidable illegal armed group, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This notorious narcotics-smuggling militia, with origins in far-right paramilitary forces, operates in at least 20 of Colombia's departments.

It controls key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the treacherous Darién Gap and has clashed leftwing rebels for control of illicit operations along the Venezuelan border.

A Political Facade?

In the past few years, the cartel has attempted to present itself as a political force, like other Colombian insurgent factions.

This maneuver could secure it more favorable terms in any potential peace talks. However, it is largely not viewed to have tangible political objectives.

Official US Stance

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

Broader Context

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

This administration has previously targeted six cartels in Mexico and two in Venezuela.

Growing Diplomatic Strain

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

This encompasses deadly airstrikes on vessels that have allegedly killed scores of people in coastal waters.

The two presidents have traded public barbs for weeks. After implying that any drug-producing country was a potential target, 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 cautioning his US counterpart to "avoid provoking a strong response" with militaristic threats.

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

The US has used its so-called anti-narcotics campaign to explain the maritime attacks it alleges are ferrying drug shipments.

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

Other Listed Groups

Other Colombian criminal organisations have been on the US terror list for a long time.

• This encompasses 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 believed the Gulf Clan might be weakened by the capture and extradition of its top commander to the US in 2022.

Instead, the group initiated a campaign of terror, assassinating police officers and local leaders and holding large swaths of the country hostage.

A Major Hurdle

The Gulf Clan is now involved in stalled talks with the government. It is considered the primary barrier to the president's struggling "comprehensive peace" plan, which aims to end the country's many-sided armed conflict.