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The US government has added to its list the Gulf Clan, the nation's largest and most powerful criminal organization, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This notorious drug-trafficking faction, with roots in far-right paramilitary forces, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's regions.

It controls key people- and drug-smuggling routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has battled leftist rebels for control of criminal networks along the shared border.

A Political Facade?

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

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

US Government Statement

In a Tuesday's announcement, the US secretary of state labeled the Gulf Clan—which calls itself the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "violent and powerful criminal organisation."

He noted 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 armed factions have been designated as terrorist groups before, this ruling is the first under the present US government.

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

Growing Diplomatic Strain

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

This encompasses lethal military strikes on vessels that have allegedly killed scores of people in Pacific and Caribbean waters.

The two leaders have exchanged sharp words for weeks. After warning that any drug-producing country was a possible focus, 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 responded by cautioning his US counterpart to "not wake the jaguar" with militaristic threats.

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

The US has used its so-called war on drugs to explain the strikes on boats it alleges are transporting illicit cargo.

The Colombian president has labeled these attacks as "murder." Recently, the US military stated it had carried out 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 a long time.

• This encompasses the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also includes dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that resumed fighting after the landmark peace agreement.

Failed Weakening Attempts

Some authorities in Colombia had believed the Gulf Clan might be weakened by the capture and extradition of its main leader to the US in 2022.

Instead, the group initiated 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 main obstacle to the president's struggling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's complex armed conflict.