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The United States has officially designated the Gulf Clan, the nation's most dominant and formidable illegal armed group, as a foreign terrorist organization.

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

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

Political Posturing

In the past few years, the organization has tried to portray itself as a political movement, similar to other Colombian rebel groups.

This maneuver could secure it more favorable terms in any potential peace talks. However, it is generally not seen to have concrete political aims.

Official US Stance

In a recent statement, the US top diplomat labeled the Gulf Clan—which goes by the name 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 "primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its brutal campaigns."

Wider Implications

While other Colombian armed factions have been designated as terrorist groups before, this decision is the first under the present US government.

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

Escalating Tensions

The action is set to worsen strains between the US and Colombia's president, who has vocally criticized the US policy against Venezuela.

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

The two presidents have exchanged sharp words for several weeks. After implying that any drug-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 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 war on drugs to justify the strikes on boats it alleges are ferrying drug shipments.

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

Previous Designations

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

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

Instead, the group unleashed a campaign of terror, assassinating police officers and local leaders and holding vast areas of the country hostage.

Obstacle to Peace

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