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

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

It monopolizes key human and narcotics trafficking routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has battled leftwing rebels for control of criminal networks along the shared border.

A Political Facade?

In recent years, the cartel has sought to rebrand itself as a political force, akin to other Colombian insurgent factions.

This maneuver could grant it more favorable terms in any potential negotiations. However, it is generally not seen to have tangible political aims.

Official US Stance

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

He noted 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 listed as terror entities before, this ruling is the first under the present US government.

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

Escalating Tensions

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

This includes lethal military strikes on vessels that have reportedly killed numerous people in Pacific and Caribbean waters.

The two leaders have exchanged sharp words for several weeks. After warning that any narcotics-producing country was a potential target, the US president specifically mentioned Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face himself some big problems if he doesn't wise up."

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 anti-narcotics campaign to explain the strikes on boats it alleges are transporting illicit cargo.

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

Other Listed Groups

Other Colombian criminal organisations have been on the US terror list for years.

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

Unsuccessful Strategies

Some authorities in Colombia had hoped 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 campaign of terror, killing police officers and local leaders and keeping vast areas of the country hostage.

Obstacle to Peace

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in halting talks with the government. It is seen as the main obstacle to the president's stumbling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's multifaceted armed conflict.